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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE WORK DONE BY THE 



U. S. S. ENTERPRISE 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING DURING 1883-1886. 




Captain A. S. BARKER, U. S. N. 



( uOV 2 

NEW YORK: 

JOHN WILEY & SONS, 

53 East Tenth Street. 

1892. 



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Qp 



COYPRIGHT, 189a, ' 
BY 

A. S. BARKER. 



Robert Drummond, Ferris Bros., 

Electrotyper, Printers, 

IU & 446 Pearl Street, 886 Pearl Street, 

New York. New York. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Introduction i 

Chapter I. — Assume Command of the Enterprise 9 

Voyage of Cape Town via Cape de Verde Islands. 

Chapter II. — Voyage from Cape Town to China 29 

Simons Bay. — Port Elizabeth. — Natal. — Madagascar. — Comoro 
Islands. — Zanzibar. — Seychelle Islands. — Straits of Sunda. — Warned 
by a Dutch Man-of-War of the Dangers to Navigation occasioned by 
the Eruption of Krakatoa. — Destruction of Anjer. — Arrival at 
Batavia. — Singapore. 

Chapter III. — Homeward Bound 62 

Receive Orders to proceed with the Enterprise to the United 
States via Australia. — Hong Kong. — Sourabaya, Java. — Albany, West 
Australia. — Melbourne, Victoria. — Wellington, New Zealand. — Run 
Line of Deep-sea Soundings from Wellington to Magellan Straits. — 
Sandy Point. — Montevideo, Uruguay. 

Chapter IV.— Homeward Bound— (Continued) 97 

Discover an Extensive Bank. — Connect with Line of Soundings 
taken in 1883 by the Enterprise on Outward Voyage, and thus com- 
plete the Circumnavigation of the Globe. — Barbados. — St. Thomas. — 
New York. — Enterprise goes out of Commission. 

Table Summarizing the Soundings taken throughout the Cruise 110 

List of Officers attached to the Enterprise on the Day of Sailing 
from Norfolk, December 27, 1882 128 

List of Officers attached to the Enterprise upon her Return to 
the United States, March, 1886 129 

List of Men who were on Board the Enterprise during the Whole 
Cruise 130 

List of Men who went out in the Ship but did not return in her. . 132 



IV CONTENTS. 

PASS 

List of Men who were on Board at End of Cruise but were not on 

Board at the Beginning of the Cruise 133 

Charts: 

Soundings taken in the Indian Ocean while en route to the Asiatic Sta- 
tion, in June, July, August, and September, 1883. 
Soundings taken in the South Pacific Ocean on returning to the United 

States, in October, November, and December, 1885. 
Soundings taken in the North and South Atlantic Oceans in 1883 and 
1886. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Standing against the wall of the Hydrographic Office 
are two large plaster casts showing the contour of the 
bottoms of the North and South Atlantic Oceans with 
their submarine peaks, plateaux, and depressions as 
revealed by deep-sea soundings. Prominent thereon 
are two submarine peaks in the South Atlantic Ocean 
and an extensive sand-bank several hundred miles from 
the coast of South America, which were discovered by 
the Enterprise while on a cruise around the world from 
1883 to 1886 when deep-sea soundings were taken across 
the Atlantic, Indian, and South Pacific oceans. There 
is also shown to the northward of Porto Rico the deepest 
depression yet discovered in the North Atlantic, and into* 
this the Enterprise sounded, bringing up a specimen of 
the bottom from a depth of 4529 fathoms, the position 
of the cast being within 40 miles of that taken by Com- 
mander Brovynson in the Blake, which showed a depth 
of 4561 fathoms and which to this day remains the deep- 
est cast ever taken in the Atlantic Ocean. 



2 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

As little is known of the work of the Enterprise, I 
have concluded to publish a brief account of the voyage 
in so far as it relates to deep-sea sounding, thinking it 
may be of some interest to the naval service at large. 

The sounding apparatus used was the Sigsbee Im- 
proved Sir William Thomson's, consisting of a reel with 
accumulator and a small reeling-in engine. This reel, 
which was of the ordinary service type of that day, was 
completely crushed while on the way to South Africa, 
and a new one, designed by Chief Engineer H. D. 
McEwan, was made at Cape Town by the mechanics on 
board ship, the only expense to the government being 
the cost of the material. This improved reel was in 
service during the remainder of the cruise, and was 
so strongly constructed that, without being injured, it 
reeled up a 6o-pound shot from a depth of 271 1 fathoms. 
It was made as follows: Two steel diaphragms were 
placed at equal distances between the two outer steel 
faces of the reel, and all parts thoroughly secured in 
place by through-bolts, the outer periphery upon which 
the wire was wound being also composed wholly of these 
bolts. 

The specimen cups supplied were of different kinds, 
viz., Belknap's No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, and Sigsbee's 
Improved Belknap No. 2. During the cruise other cups 
were used, the best of which, the " Enterprise," was a 
modified Belknap No. 2 made on board ship. 

The wire was partly of American and partly of Eng- 
lish manufacture, of No. 22 Birmingham gauge. The 



INTRODUCTION. 3 

sinkers were 8-inch shot weighing from 60 to 64 
pounds each, with a hole through the centre sufficiently 
large to permit the entrance and free movement of the 
specimen cup. 

A full description of the instruments, of the manner 
of using the machine, and of preparing the wire is found 
in " A Report on Deep-sea Soundings in the Pacific 
Ocean obtained in the United States Steamer Tuscarora 
by Commander George E. Belknap, U. S. N.," and in 
Lieutenant-Commander Charles D. Sigsbee's elaborate 
and valuable work on " The Methods and Appliances 
used on board the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer 
Blake. " 

As, however, the method of taking the casts by the 
Enterprise differed somewhat from that adopted by the 
officers of the Tuscarora and Blake, I will state briefly 
our own way of sounding. 

The Enterprise cruised under sail, with propeller 
uncoupled ; but as steam was necessary to insure a good 
cast it was our custom to haul up and furl the mainsail, 
if set, and start fires in two of the six boilers at least 
two hours before sounding. When steam was ready, sail 
was shortened and furled, the ship brought head to wind, 
the propeller " coupled up " by the engineer force below ; 
hence by the time sail was furled the engines were 
ready for use. The navigator, who had everything in 
readiness to sound, would now relieve the officer of the 
deck of so much of his duties as pertained to the hand- 
ling of the vessel, because, standing almost directly over 



4 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

the wire, he was in the best position to see if it tended 
forward or aft, away from or under the ship, and hence 
with a judicious use of the helm he could keep the wire 
" up and down " by working the engines ahead or astern. 

Sometimes, owing to a strong undercurrent or to the 
peculiar state of the sea in reference to the wind, it was 
difficult to keep the vessel in position, but this seldom 
happened. 

When the wire had been reeled in, the ship was put 
on her course, sail made, fires hauled, and the propeller 
uncoupled. Lieutenant Geo. A. Norris, U. S. N., took 
each cast from the United States to the Straits of Sunda, 
or across the Atlantic and Indian oceans. He had been 
on similar duty with Commander Belknap in the 
Tuscarora in 1874. The Tuscarora, however, almost 
always had her stern to the wind and sea when a cast 
was taken (see report of Tuscarora's soundings before 
referred to), while the Enterprise very seldom got in that 
position. In fact, on her homeward trip in 1885, while 
sounding in the high latitudes of the South Pacific 
between New Zealand and Cape Horn, it would have 
been impossible to run a line satisfactorily had it been 
necessary to lay the stern of the Enterprise to the wind 
and sea. 

Lieutenant Adolph Marix, U. S. N., took the casts 
on the return voyage to the United States, "Mr. Norris 
having become the executive officer. 

Mr. Norris made use of the " foot-break" when sound- 
ing; Mr. Marix, after taking a few casts, discarded the 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

*' foot-break," but used a " friction line," making one end 
of the line fast to the platform of the reel, then leading 
the free end over the friction groove in the direction in 
which the reel was turning, keeping hold of the line with 
his left hand. He could thus look about him with 
greater freedom and could control perfectly the move- 
ment of the reel and tell with certainty the instant the 
sinker struck bottom. 

When sounding in the South Pacific it was found that 
the vessel could be kept in position with comparative 
ease, even in rough seas and during moderate gales, by 
using the spanker with sheet to windward, sometimes 
assisted by the main trysail with its sheet also to wind- 
ward (thus keeping the wind slightly on the starboard 
bow), and by moving the engine ahead just enough to 
stem the wind and sea. Notwithstanding the heavy 
seas and bad weather in these high southern latitudes 
not a cast was omitted in the whole line. 

I have copied freely from the log-book and my private 
journal in reference to this particular line, as it was run 
as far south as the sailing directions advised vessels to 
go at that season of the year on account of ice, and in a 
portion of the globe which has hitherto received little 
attention in the matter of deep-sea soundings. Even to 
this day (1892), more than six years having elapsed, the 
charts do not show a single deep-sea cast to the southward 
of the line run by the Enterprise and but few soundings 
for some degrees of latitude to the northward. 

In the line run between Montevideo, Uruguay, and 



6 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

Barbados in the West Indies, in 1886, many of the casts 
when within the tropics were taken with sails clewed 
up and topsail yards mast-headed, the breeze as a rule 
being light and the sea comparatively smooth, steam, 
however, being used as before. When the wire had 
been reeled in to about 2000 fathoms, sufficient sail was 
made to give the vessel a speed of not more than four 
knots; when in to 1000 fathoms, all sail was made and 
the propeller uncoupled. At Cape Town the upper 
platform of the accommodation ladder was fitted to ship 
on the starboard side of the vessel in line with but below 
the level of the bridge, forward of the smoke-pipe, 
and the sounding apparatus was transferred from the 
starboard gangway to the bridge. This was an improve- 
ment, and all casts after leaving Cape Town were taken 
with the reel in this position. When this change was 
made an iron pipe was fitted to lead from the main 
boilers of the ship to the small "reeling" engine, taking 
the place of the flexible rubber pipe formerly used. This 
engine being small required a pressure of 60 pounds of 
steam to reel in the cup from moderate depths, which of 
course necessitated keeping as high a pressure on the 
main boilers of the ship to which the steam-pipe was 
connected. As a result a greater steam-pressure was 
required to reel in the wire than to run the ship's engines 
while sounding. It would have been, therefore, more 
economical had we been furnished with a larger "reel- 
ing " engine, — one requiring a less pressure of steam. 
The Enterprise had six cylindrical boilers. Two of 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

these were reserved for distilling water, and were seldom 
used for steaming except in cases of emergency, and it 
was my usual custom during the cruise to use only two 
boilers when steaming, as this number was found suffi- 
cient under favorable circumstances to drive the vessel 
six knots an hour on a daily consumption of six tons 
of coal. 

The superiority of good bituminous coal for the work 
of sounding was clearly demonstrated. After many 
experiments it was proved that the most economical way 
to sound was to start fires for each cast, unless more than 
two were to be taken in twenty-four hours, and to haul 
fires as soon as the cast was finished, although for par- 
ticular reasons fires were sometimes permitted to die 
out instead of being hauled. When anthracite coal was 
used, fires had to be kept banked between casts, which 
prevented the use of the mainsail, because with the 
smokepipe lowered (its usual position when cruising) 
the wind which was forced down the funnel would put 
out the fires ; while with the smokepipe raised the main- 
sail could not be set. With bituminous coal, however, 
the mainsail could be used twenty hours out of the 
twenty-four, because fires were hauled as soon as the cast 
was taken. 

Under favorable circumstances it required only about 
one-half ton of Cardiff coal for each cast, hence we 
invariably purchased soft coal after leaving the United 
States. 

One thing more is worthy of note, viz. : notwith- 



8 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

standing the fact that fires were started in the boilers so 
often, we did not purchase a stick of cord-wood from the 
time the Enterprise left the Cape de Verde Islands until 
the end of the cruise, a period of over three years, but 
started fires with empty boxes and barrels which, instead 
of being thrown overboard, were carefully saved for this 
purpose. 

Particular mention is due to Lieutenant Geo. A. 
Norris, Lieutenant Adolph Marix, and Chief Engineer 
H. D. McEwan, whose intelligence, zeal, and devotion 
to duty could not be surpassed. 

These officers were more intimately connected with 
the work than the others, Mr. Norris being the navigator 
on the outward, and Mr. Marix on the return voyage, 
while Chief Engineer McEwan personally superintended 
everything connected with his own department — keep- 
ing it in perfect order, besides assisting in other ways to 
the success of the work in hand. 



CHAPTER I. 

ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 

VOYAGE TO CAPE TOWN VIA CAPE DE VERDE ISLANDS. 

On the 4th of December, 1882, while in command of 
the monitor Montauk at League Island, orders were 
received detaching me from that vessel and directing me 
to proceed " without delay " to Norfolk, Va., to take 
command of the U. S. S. Enterprise. On the 8th of 
December I assumed command, relieving my old friend 
and classmate Commander E. M. Shepard, U. S. N. 

The Enterprise had already been in commission 

about one year and had proved herself one of the fastest 

and most efficient vessels on the North Atlantic Station. 

She was a bark-rigged steam corvette of 1375 tons 

displacement. Her maximum speed under steam alone 

was 1 1.7 knots an hour, while under sail with a fair breeze 

and propeller uncoupled she could make from 7 to 10 

knots according to the force of the wind and the state 

of the sea. Her battery consisted of one 150-pdr. rifle 

pivot ; one 60-pdr. rifle, on topgallant forecastle ; four 

9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bore guns ; one 3-inch B. L. 

rifle ; one Gatling gun ; two howitzers for use in boats 

and for saluting purposes. She carried 195 officers, 

sailors, and marines. 

9 



IO DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

To gather information concerning foreign ports and 
to show the flag where it had not been seen for years, 
if indeed ever before, the Department had adopted the 
wise policy of sending our men-of-war to join their sta- 
tions by different routes. The Enterprise had been 
assigned to the Asiatic Station, and the route selected 
was via the Cape de Verde Islands and Cape of Good 
Hope. From the Cape we were to cruise along the 
coast of South Africa, thence to Madagascar, thence to 
the Comoro Islands and Zanzibar. From Zanzibar we 
were to cross the Indian Ocean to the Straits of Sunda, 
and from thence proceed to China, touching at Borneo 
and other places. 

As this cruise would afford an excellent opportunity 
to add to our knowledge of the ocean's bed, a deep-sea 
sounding apparatus was put on board, with cups, sinkers, 
wire, etc., and instructions were given to sound on the 
way out, if practicable, at intervals of ioo miles. 

Pamphlets were mailed from the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution treating of the manner of stuffing birds, preserv- 
ing fishes, etc., and a hope was expressed by letter that 
we might be able to collect valuable specimens for the 
National Museum ; but no alcohol, jars, or instruments 
came with the letter, neither was authority given to 
purchase any. 

We were directed to swing ship every 15 degrees of 
latitude and longitude made good, and also when on the 
magnetic equator ; to swing first with starboard helm, 
then with port helm, and occasionally with the vessel 



ASSUME COiMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. II 

listed from 6 to 10 degrees, care to be taken to " keep 
steady " on each point at least four minutes. These 
instructions were issued for three purposes : (i) to find 
our own compass errors ; (2) to familiarize the officers 
with the method employed in swinging iron ships ; and 
(3) to ascertain the magnetic variation in various parts 
of the world. 

After taking our powder on board at Fort Norfolk, 
we weighed anchor on the 28th of December, 1882, 
steamed to Lynn Haven Bay in the Chesapeake, and 
awaited a favorable opportunity to swing ship. Bad or 
cloudy weather detained us for several days, but at last 
the required observations were made successfully. 

I will here state that to heel the ship 7 without 
moving the guns, it was found necessary to shift over 
to the starboard side all the extra coal which we had in 
bags on deck, empty the port boilers of water, and lower 
the port boats, hanging them by tackles to the starboard 
fore and main yard-arms. 

Our last letters were sent to Norfolk by a light-house 
tender which was entering the bay, and on the 2d of 
January, 1883, we proceeded to sea, passing Cape Henry 
at 5.30 p. m. 

The navigator had already spliced together and reeled 
off more than 6000 fathoms of sounding wire, and had 
set up the reel and engine in the starboard gangway 
ready for work. 

The passage to the Cape de Verde Islands was an 
unusually stormy one, even for the month of January, 



12 DEEP-SKA SOUNDING. 

the weather at the start being gloomy and disagree- 
able. 

On the 7th a gale sprung up from the S.S.W., which 
was followed by a succession of heavy gales in the Gulf 
Stream on the 10th, nth, 12th, and 13th, veering from 
the S.W. to N.N.W., accompanied by high and 
irregular seas. The ship, laden with provisions, stores, 
and a deck-load of coal, rolled deeply. 

On the 10th the second cutter was struck by a heavy 
sea and torn from her davits. 

On the 1 6th of January it became sufficiently 
smooth to warrant taking a cast. The reel and engine, 
which on the appearance of bad weather had been taken 
in-board, were again mounted on the flying platform and 
secured in the starboard gangway, with outer end pro- 
jecting sufficiently over the side of the ship to allow the 
wire to run clear. 

As the apparatus had not been tried previously, the 
first cast was taken under difficulties. The machine 
worked stiffly and the connecting hook of the leather 
belt broke several times. Then an improvised manila 
belt was tried, but, failing to give satisfaction, was 
replaced by the original leather belt, which in the mean 
time had been repaired by discarding the hooks and 
securing the ends together. 

A depth of 28^4 fathoms was found inlat. 35 35' N., 
long. 48 22' W. Character of bottom, gray ooze, 
with sand and small shells. The whole time occupied 
in this our first cast was nearly five hours. 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 1 3 

On the 19th the second cast was taken in 2166 fath- 
oms, lat. 31 12' 47" N., long. 42 34' 48" W. Char- 
acter of bottom, gray ooze, with sand and minute shells. 

While reeling in, the flange opposite the V-groove 
tore with a loud report for a distance of nearly 18 inches, 
although the reel was not subjected to an unusual strain. 
The fracture was in the metal itself, not at the welding, 
and in the line of the washers to the outer row of bolts. 
At the time of the accident 1900 fathoms were out and 
everything was working smoothly. Fortunately the 
wire did not part. The reel was repaired on board by 
bolting securely to it a sheet-iron band 4 inches wide and 
I- inch thick, cut to coincide with the outer circum- 
ference of the flange. 

On the 22d, 23d, and 24th a heavy gale, beginning 
at the northward and westward and ending at about 
E.N.E., was experienced, making it necessary to lie to 
for the greater part of the time. 

On the 27th the reel was repaired and the third cast 
taken in 2698 fathoms, lat. 27 37' 57" N., long. 33 
56' 45" W. Character of bottom the same as in the 
last cast, viz., gray ooze, with sand and minute shells. 
The belt parted while reeling in, and a new one was tried. 
The whole time occupied in taking this cast was 2 hrs. 
29 min. 

On the 28th the fourth cast was taken in 3093 fath- 
oms, lat. 26 47' N., long. 31 58' W. Bottom, red 
ooze, mixed with sand and shells. 

In the above four casts the Miller-Casella self-regis- 



14 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

tering thermometer was used to ascertain the tempera- 
ture of the bottom, the results being 36 , 36^°, 36 , and 
37° Fahr., respectively, the surface temperatures being 
66°, 69 , 71 , and 72 Fahr. 

These were the only casts taken before reaching the 
Cape de Verdes, but they had served to demonstrate the 
weakness of the reel and the bad working of the leather 
belts. 

We arrived at St. Vincent, Porto Grande, before 
daylight on the morning of the 2d of February, 1883, 
and as soon as possible filled up with excellent Welsh 
coal, taking twenty-five tons on deck. The usual visits 
of ceremony were made while the vessel was fitting 
for sea. 

The importance of St. Vincent as a coaling station 
can scarcely be overestimated. It has cable communi- 
cation with the continent and lies directly in the route 
of steamers running from Europe to South America and 
other portions of the globe. During the year 1882, 
180,000 tons of coal were supplied to steamers touching 
at this port. 

When the Enterprise visited St. Vincent no drinking- 
water could be obtained except What was distilled on 
shore, but I understand that good fresh water is now 
conducted through pipes from the mountains to the 
harbor. 

On the 8th of February the Enterprise left St. Vin- 
cent for Porto Praya, where she arrived on the following 
day, having taken two casts en route, viz., one on the 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 1 5 

8th, in 1471 fathoms, lat. i6° 35' N., long. 24 52' 
W., the bottom being red sand mixed with shells; and 
the other on the 9th, in 1061 fathoms, lat. 14 57' N., 
long. 23 51' W. Owing to the carelessness of the 
attendant his guiding-rod slipped and 703 fathoms of 
wire were lost with the specimen-cup. Before entering 
port the ship was swung for compass deviations, after 
which we exercised at target-firing. We remained at 
Porto Praya just long enough to make official calls and 
to lay in fresh provisions. 

Porto Praya is also an important coaling station, 
60,000 tons of coal having been delivered to steamers 
during the year 1882. It has the advantage over St. 
Vincent in respect to supplies. Fruit and poultry abound, 
and fresh water is conducted from the mountains in the 
interior through pipes to a large cistern in town. 

A contract for laying a submarine cable to the con- 
tinent had just been signed, and the cable has since been 
successfully laid. 

On the afternoon of the 10th we sailed from Porto 
Praya for Cape Town, finding the northeast trade winds 
fairly strong when away from the land. 

A course was shaped to cross the equator between 
25 and 26 west longitude, and before night a cast was 
taken in 2742 fathoms, lat. 12 io' N., long. 23 45' W. 

In reeling in, the composition part of the specimen- 
cup, Belknap No. 2, became unscrewed, and the speci- 
men was lost. 

On the 1 2th the trade winds became lighter, but the 



l6 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

ship made fair speed under port studdingsails. In the 
afternoon we sounded in 2668 fathoms, lat. 9 28' N., 
long. 24 08' W. The cup used was Sigsbee's improved 
Belknap No. 2, and a. good specimen was obtained of 
gray ooze mixed with sand and minute shells. 

The flexible pipe leading from the main boilers to 
the small reeling-engine showed signs of weakness, and 
to strengthen it the pipe was covered with canvas and 
served over with marline. 

On the 13th the trades were very light, but the 
weather was delightful. In the afternoon we sounded: 
in 2509 fathoms, lat. 7 16' N., long. 24 24' W. The 
cup brought up a large specimen of minute shells of 
different colors and shapes, giving off a peculiar odor 
resembling that of clams. These shells had every 
appearance of being alive, and the specimen as a whole 
differed from all others. After being exposed to the air 
for some hours the shells would gradually change color, 
become lighter and lighter in appearance, and a portion of 
the specimen exposed for a day became white and chalky. 

On the 14th sounded in 2307 fathoms, lat. 5 27' 
25" N., long. 24 33' 18" W. Tried a new belt of 
rattling stuff and changed the action of the engine to 
obviate the necessity for crossing the belt. This was 
found to be an improvement, and was continued during 
the rest of the cruise. While reeling in, the wire parted 
at a splice, causing the loss of over 2000 fathoms. The 
wind had now become so light that it was decided to 
get up steam. 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 1 7 

On the 15th a cast was taken in 2339 fathoms, lat. 
3 29' 47" N., long. 24 46' 34" W. — character of 
bottom, dark gray ooze mixed with sand and shells — and 
the ship was swung for compass deviation early in the 
morning and again in the afternoon. We ran out of the 
N.E. trades before night. 

On the 16th, at 2 p.m., sounded in 2213 fathoms, 
lat. o° 55' 2.5" N., long. 25 04' 38" W., the specimen- 
cup bringing up a gray ooze, mixed with sand and a few 
shells. We continued under steam as the breeze was 
very light from the southward and eastward, and before 
night struck below the last of the coal which had been 
stowed in bags on deck at Porto Grande. 

On the 1 7th, after crossing the equator, we sounded 
in 19 1 9 fathoms, lat. o° 06' 08" S., long. 26 35' 2j" 
W.; gray ooze mixed with sand and shells — the same 
character of bottom as on the 16th, although there was 
a material change in depth. 

At 10 p.m. sail was made to a light breeze from 
the S.E. 

On the 1 8th, at 2 p.m., sounded in 2627 fathoms, 
lat. i° 33' 00" S., long. 27 43' 45" W. After reeling 
in a few turns the wire parted from no apparent cause, 
as it was leading " up and down " and no signs of a kink 
could be found, causing the loss of 2600 fathoms of wire 
and our last deep-sea thermometer. Spoke an English 
bark 72 days from Port Adelaide, and sighted another 
vessel in the distance. 

On the 20th, at 4 p.m., sounded in 2803 fathoms, 



1 8 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

lat. 4 06' S., long. 29 04' 22" W.; brown mud with 
occasional small shells — a decided change in the character 
of the bottom since the last specimen was taken. The 
southeast trades were well to the southward and very 
light. 

On the 21st, sounded in the afternoon in 2801 fath- 
oms, lat. 5°28' S., long. 30 14' 22" W. In reeling in, 
the belt, which had shown no signs of weakness, parted 
suddenly, causing the wire to jump from the reel, thereby 
losing 2687 fathoms of wire and our last specimen cup. 
A new belt of rattling stuff was fitted and an improvised 
specimen cup made as follows : A piece of i^-inch iron 
pipe was cut to the right length, one end pointed, and 
a large hole made in the side. The detacher was screwed 
into a nipple secured in the upper end of the pipe, and 
a tin sleeve was fitted with a wire spring to cause it to 
close over the aperture in the cup when the sinker was 
detached. This cup was therefore a modification of the 
Belknap No. r. 

On the 2 2d the ship was dressed with flags at the 
mastheads and peak, and at noon a salute of twenty-one 
guns was fired in honor of Washington's birthday. 

The next cast was taken .on the 24th in 2898 fath- 
oms, lat. io° 25' S., long. 32 19' 36" W., the cup just 
described bringing up a specimen of brown ooze. 

Being near the magnetic equator on the afternoon 
of the 25th, the ship was swung with port helm for 
compass deviations. 

On the 26th we swung ship in the afternoon with 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 19 

starboard helm, having sounded in the morning in 2561 
fathoms, lat. 14 27' 40" S., long. 33 46' 45" W.; brown 
ooze mixed with a few shells. We had experienced 
beautiful sunsets for several days, but I think I never 
before saw such a glorious one as that which we beheld 
this evening. 

On the. 2 7th sounded in 2492 fathoms, lat. \$° 2f 30" 
S., long. 33 57' 19" W., the cup bringing up a yellow- 
ish-brown ooze. 

On the 28th we sounded in the morning in 2498 
fathoms, lat. 16 30' S., long. $■£ 46' W. ; yellowish- 
brown ooze. 

On March 1st sounded in 2498 fathoms, lat. 17 42' 
10" S., long. 33 26' 26" W. ; again yellowish-brown 
ooze. 

It is worthy of note that the last two casts were the 
same to a fathom and differed from that taken on the 
27th by only six fathoms ; also, that the character of the 
bottom was the same. 

The usual drills of a man-of-war were kept up rigor- 
ously throughout the cruise, notwithstanding the extra 
work of sounding. I find noted in my journal : " In the 
afternoon had dress parade. Our companies did very 
well indeed. I am proud of the apprentice-boys ; the 
most of them are fine fellows." 

Let me add here that nearly nine years have passed 
since that entry in my journal. Of the apprentices of 
whom I was so justly proud some are now efficient war- 
rant officers in the Navy, and others are filling impor- 



20 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

tant positions as petty officers. Several who have left 
the service are well-to-do business men; and of" these, 
one whom I met a year or two ago told me that the ex- 
perience which he had gained in the Navy had been of 
the greatest service to him. 

On the 2d, at 8 a.m., sounded in 2319 fathoms, lat. 
1 9 06 ' 27" S., long. 3 2 40' W., the bottom having 
changed to a brown mud. 

On the 3d sounded in 2475 fathoms, lat. 20 n' 43" 
S., long. 31 54' 18" W. ; yellowish sticky brown mud. 
The sleeve of the specimen-cup did not close, and the 
specimen brought up was small. 

On the 5th, at 7.30 a.m., sounded in 2892 fathoms, 
lat. 22 24' 53" S., long. 29 54' 37" W. Character of 
bottom, brown ooze. 

On the 6th, at 8 a.m., a cast was taken in 3020 fath- 
oms, lat. 2 3 46' 20" S., long. 28 54' 20" W. ; yellowish 
brown ooze. The specimen-cup used was one devised 
and made by Robert Knight, the blacksmith of the ship, 
being a little different from those which had hitherto 
been made on board. It brought up a large specimen. 

On the 7th sounded in 2999 fathoms, lat. 24 54' S., 
long. 28 1 8' 16" W. ; dark brown mud. 

On the 8th sounded in 2908 fathoms, lat. 25 53' 
18" S., long. 28 09' 39" W. The specimen brought up 
was chocolate-colored sticky mud. 

On the 9th sounded in 3147 fathoms, lat. 26 56' 08" 
S., long. 2 7 44' 40" W. ; dark-brown sticky mud, choco- 
late color. The reel showed signs of distress for the 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 21 

first time since it was repaired, the after face beginning 
to cave in. 

On the ioth a cast was taken in 2288 fathoms, lat. 
28 49' 47" S., long. 2 7 30' 27" W. No specimen was 
recovered, but the bottom of the cup was bright, show- 
ing that it had struck hard bottom, probably rock. The 
ship was swung in the afternoon with port helm. 

On the nth, early in the morning, we swung ship 
with starboard helm, and then sounded in 2509 fathoms, 
lat. 29 52' 57" S., long. 27 23' 04" W. ; light brown 
mud mixed with minute shells. 

On the 1 2th we again swung ship early in the morn- 
ing with starboard helm, and then sounded in 2537 
fathoms, lat. 30 22' 18" S., long. 26 12' 54" W. ; hard 
bottom. The only specimen recovered was a small 
piece of half-formed rock, yellowish inside and black 
outside, but .dark specks were also found on the bottom 
of the cup. 

On the 13th, at 4 p.m., sounded in 2530 fathoms, 
lat. 30 42' 16" S., long. 24 24' 26" W., the cup bring- 
ing up a stiff light-brown mud mixed with minute shells. 

On the 14th sounded in 25 11 fathoms, lat. 31 or 
36" S., long. 22 46' 15" W., finding the same bottom as 
yesterday. 

The weather had been delightful, as a rule, from the 
time we left Porto Praya until this date, but there being 
indications of bad weather, I had another cast taken in 
the afternoon in 2372 fathoms, lat. 3i°o8 / 28" S., long. 
2i° 57' 30" W., in bottom of light-brown mud. 



22 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

On the 15th a gale set in from the northward and 
westward ; nevertheless, we succeeded in getting a good 
cast in the morning, although the sea was rough. 
Found a depth of 2351 fathoms, lat. 31 23' 40" S., 
long. 1 9 43' 16" W., the bottom being of light-brown 
mud. In the afternoon, owing to the increasing gale, 
the ship was hove to under close-reefed main top- 
sail. 

On the morning of the 16th, the wind having veered 
to the southward and westward, she was put on her 
course ; but it was not smooth enough to sound again 
until the 18th, which was a great disappointment to us, 
as an interesting portion of the South Atlantic Ocean 
had been reached where I desired to take a number of 
casts ; but the length of the route, together with the 
limited amount of coal and provisions on board, made it 
necessary to take advantage of the favoring winds. 

On the 1 8th sounded in 1700 fathoms, lat. 30 35' 
02" S., long. 12 49' 03" W. ; bottom of light-brown 
mud. The sea was long and moderately rough and the 
ship rolled deeply, but the cast was an excellent one. 

On the 19th sounded at 1 p.m. in 1364 fathoms, lat. 
31 12' 16" S., long. 12 38' 53" W., finding black mud 
mixed with scoria ; and again at 6 in the afternoon, in 
1507 fathoms, lat. 31 15' 16" S., long. 12 19' 32" W., 
in a bottom of hard black mud. 

On the 20th, at 7.35 a.m., sounded in 1864 fathoms, 
lat. 31 38' 42" S., long. 12 05' 28" W. The character 
of the bottom had undergone a wonderful change within 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 23 

a few miles, viz., from hard black mud to white ooze 
mixed with shells. 

Being now near the position of "Grant's Breakers," 
as shown on the chart, we continued under steam, and 
at 1.30 p.m. sounded directly over the spot, in lat. 31 
37' 29" S., long. ii° 29/ 22" W. Found a depth of 
19 19 fathoms, hard bottom — again a decided change in 
character, although comparatively near the position of 
the last cast. We had undoubtedly crossed a submarine 
ridge during the last twenty-four hours. 

On the 2 1 st, at 8.15 a.m., sounded in 2050 fathoms, 
lat. 31 57 r 20" S., long. 9 43' 26" W., finding hard bot- 
tom. 

On the 22d, at 7.30 a.m., sounded in 2314 fathoms, 
lat. 3 2 03' 48" S., long. 7 09' 22" W., hard bottom ; 
and at 6 p.m., in 2308 fathoms, lat. 32 11' 31-'/ S., long. 
6° 03' 58" W., this time finding white ooze mixed with 
sand and shells — again a most noticeable change in the 
character of the bottom. 

The specimen-cup used in this cast was a modifi- 
cation of Belknap No. 2, designed by Chief Engineer 
McEwan. 

On the 23d, at 7.30 a.m., we sounded in 2008 fath- 
oms, lat. 32 19' S., long. 4 23' 34" W., hard white 
sand, and in the afternoon began to swing ship, but 
before the observations could be completed masses of 
clouds formed which obscured the sun. At 6.30 p.m. 
we again sounded in 2353 fathoms, lat. 32 26' S., long. 
3 23' 32" W. ; white sand and shells. While reeling in, 



24 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

the wire came in contact with a fish, of which small bits 
of the skin and flesh were found on the upper end of 
one of the splices. 

On the 24th the ship was swung with starboard 
helm, beginning shortly after sunrise. At 9 a.m. a 
cast was taken in 2343 fathoms, lat. 32 24/ S., long. i° 
32' 52" W., white sand and shells; and at 6 p.m. another 
in 1255 fathoms, lat. 32 30' S., long. o° 27' 46" W. ; 
white sand. The depth being so much less than that 
found in the morning, still another cast was taken 
at 11 p.m. in 979 fathoms, lat. 32 33' 20" S., long. 
o° oo' 20" East ; white sand. We were evidently cross- 
ing another submarine ridge ; hence about four hours 
later, at 4.15 a.m. on the 25th, we sounded in 2492 
fathoms, lat. 32 41' 54" S., long. o° 41' 04" E. ; light 
brown ooze. 

As ranges of mountains are sometimes found on land 
in close proximity to each other and running in nearly 
parallel lines, I thought it possible there might be a 
second submarine range near the one over which we 
had just passed, and gave orders to sound again at 1.30 
p.m. The result was startling. A depth of only 731 
fathoms was found, or two statute miles less than the 
last cast! Lat. 32 48' 25" S., long. i° 47' 34" E., the 
character of the bottom being white coral, sand, and 
shells. 

Such a remarkable change in depth gave us reason 
to think that breakers might exist somewhere in this 
part of the South Atlantic after all, and a bright look- 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 25 

out was kept. Of course it was impossible to state 
whether or not we had sounded over the highest point 
of this submarine peak. At 3.15 p.m. another cast was 
taken about ten miles from the last position, but the 
depth had increased to 1203 fathoms, lat. 32 49/ 25" S., 
long. i° 59/ 28" E ; white coral, sand, and shells. 
Again at 6.15 p.m. we sounded in 1724 fathoms, lat. 
•32 50' 54" S., long. 2 19/ 09" E., the character of the 
bottom being still the same,- — white coral, sand, and shells. 

Although this was such an interesting locality for 
our work we were obliged to press on, having but six 
bags of bread remaining on board for a crew of nearly 
two hundred men. Our salt beef and pork, and in truth 
all other provisions, were nearly exhausted, and still we 
had more than 800 miles to run to reach Cape Town. 

On the 26th, at 7.45 a.m., sounded in 2765 fathoms, 
lat. 2,3° I 4 / 45" S., long. 4 29' 18" E. — brown ooze; 
and again at 6 p.m. in 2938 fathoms, lat. 33° 24' 33" S., 
long. 5 52' 57" E., finding the same kind of bottom — 
brown ooze. 

When the wire was reeled in there were found on the 
grommet at the end two long worms, alive, and resem- 
bling ordinary earth-worms except in respect to their 
heads. One was 26 inches long and the other 19^ 
inches. We were 600 miles from any known dry land. 
It was impossible to tell whether they came from the 
bottom or were caught by the grommet near the surface, 
but they were considered of sufficient importance to pre- 
serve in alcohol and send to the Smithsonian Institution. 



26 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

The condition of the reel had been growing worse 
ever since the 9th instant, when it first showed signs 
of distress, and fears were entertained that it might 
give out entirely before reaching Cape Town. The 
greatest care was therefore taken in using it. There 
being indications of a gale, and wishing to keep ahead 
of and, if possible, avoid it, I used steam and sail and 
made from 10 to 11 knots an hour. 

On the 27th, at 7.30 a.m., sounded in 2855 fathoms, 
lat. 33 48' 46" S., long. 8° 29' 02" E. — brown ooze ; and 
again at 4.30 p.m. in 2773 fathoms, lat. 33° 56' 39'' S., 
long. 9 52' 24" E. — brown ooze. 

On the 28th, at 7.30 a.m., a cast was taken in 2596 
fathoms, lat. 34 00' S., long. 12 if 38" E. Charac- 
ter of bottom the same as for the last few days, viz., 
brown ooze. 

In the afternoon the ship was swung for compass 
deviations. 

On the 29th the gale overtook us, but before the sea 
became too rough we sounded in 2231 fathoms, lat. 34 
04' S., long. 1 5 49' 11" E. ; light brown ooze. 

Soon after this cast was taken the ship was brought 
to the wind under storm sails, on account of the increas- 
ing gale, and as but little coal remained in the bunkers 
I did not deem it wise to expend any to assist in riding 
out the storm. The gale was what is called a " black 
southeaster," with very heavy gusts from the southward. 
Entered in my journal are these words : " The last bag 
of bread was served out to the crew to-day." 



ASSUME COMMAND OF THE ENTERPRISE. 2/ 

On the morning of the 30th the gale broke, and we 
proceeded under steam. The sea was so rough that we 
were unable to make more than four knots an hour with 
the necessarily limited allowance of coal. Cape Town 
was still 120 miles distant. 

During the night the wind and sea subsided, but a 
fog set in which at times was very dense. 

On the 31st sounded in no fathoms, lat. 34 io' S., 
long. 1 8° n 7 E. ; sand and black specks. The weather 
was still foggy, but the nearer we approached land the 
thinner the fog became. At last Table Rock loomed 
up through the mists, and at 10.18 a.m. the ship was 
anchored under the breakwater in Table Bay, Cape 
Town, and the British flag saluted with twenty-one guns. 

We had been three months and three days from 
Norfolk, Va., and forty-nine days from the Cape de 
Verdes. Only three tons of coal were left in the bunkers. 
Not a single bag of bread remained, and but one or two 
barrels of beef and pork. From the Cape de Verde 
Islands to Cape Town we had sailed 5608 miles follow- 
ing the route of sailing-vessels, had taken 53 casts, 41 of 
which were between two and three and one-half (2 and 
30 statute miles in depth. The last 44 casts were taken 
without loss of wire or any accident. 

In 1876, H. M. S. Challenger ran a line of sound- 
ings between Tristan d'Acunha and the Ascension Isl- 
ands, demonstrating the existence of a submarine ridge 
connecting those two islands. The varying depths 
found between 28 west longitude and Cape Town 



28 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

incline me to believe that another submarine range, and 
possibly more than one, may be found to run nearly 
parallel to the above, but a few hundred miles to the 
eastward, to which the submarine peaks revealed by our 
casts of 731 and 979 fathoms and the island of St. 
Helena may belong. Future investigations of the 
depths of the sea in that part of the South Atlantic will 
be of great interest. 



CHAPTER II. 

VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 

SIMONS BAY.— PORT ELIZABETH. NATAL. MADAGAS- 
CAR. COMORO ISLANDS. ZANZIBAR. SEYCHELLE 

ISLANDS. STRAITS OF SUNDA. WARNED BY A DUTCH 

MAN-OF-WAR OF THE DANGERS TO NAVIGATION OCCA- 
SIONED BY THE ERUPTION OF KRAKATOA. DESTRUC- 
TION OF ANJER. ARRIVAL AT BATAVIA. SINGAPORE. 

We remained at Cape Town until the 8th of May, 
enjoying-, as only those who have passed weeks at sea 
can enjoy, the products of the farms and vineyards, and, 
above all, the refinements of cultivated society. We 
were received with great kindness by the Governor, Sir 
Hercules Robinson, and by the leading officials and 
citizens of the place, and in a modest way we tried to 
reciprocate their hospitality. Our stay was somewhat 
prolonged, that a boat might be built to replace the 
cutter lost during the gale of the 17th of January. After 
filling up with coal and provisions and getting the new 

boat, we said good-by to our friends, and on the 8th of 

29 



30 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

May left for Simons Bay, where we arrived the follow- 
ing day, anchoring off the Naval Station. Here we 
remained until the i ith, long enough to win a boat-race, 
then sailed for Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and 
anchored in Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth) on the 14th. 

An agreeable surprise awaited us. We came with 
vague ideas of this pait of South Africa, but we found a 
fine city, whose inhabitants are as enterprising and hos- 
pitable as any in the world. They had converted a 
rocky wilderness into a garden, had tapped the distant 
mountains and brought fresh water to their doors, had 
built railroads to points in the interior hundreds of miles 
distant ; in short, had overcome all obstacles except the 
treacherous sea, and a portion of that will doubtless 
soon be captive if a breakwater and docks are built on 
plans already approved by competent engineers. Large 
ocean steamers arrive and depart with regularity, and 
the trade of the place is already great. 

It was stated that an American man-of-war had not 
touched there for years. The Vanderbilt looked in dur- 
ing the Civil War, in 1863, when in search of the Ala- 
bama, but did not anchor. 

It was odd to find peoples representing distinct and 
opposite types of civilization so closely associated. The 
whites live chiefly in town, while the blacks (Kaffirs) 
live in native villages within a short distance of the city, 
and retain to a large degree their native customs both 
in dress and mode of life. Photographs taken of some 
of the chiefs while standing before their huts surrounded 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 3 1 

by their wives and children, though possessing artistic 
merit, could hardly be shown with propriety in a mixed 
company, and yet from the native point of view they 
are perfectly proper. Blacks are engaged to discharge 
and load ocean steamers, and when thus employed they 
divest themselves of all clothing. 

After an agreeable stay at this place of nearly two 
weeks, we left on the 26th for Durban (Port Natal). 
As we skirted this part of the coast of South Africa, we 
called to mind the fact that nearly every point of promi- 
nence is named after some officer or seaman who died 
while engaged in its survey, or after civilians who were 
prominent among the early settlers, the city of Port 
Elizabeth itself being named in memory of the devoted 
wife of Acting Governor-General Donkin, who " traced 
out the town." 

It is less than seventy years since Captain Owen, of 
the Royal Navy, and his small surveying party exhibited 
to a marked degree the skill and endurance which char- 
acterize the Anglo-Saxon. It is stated in " Owen's 
Voyages " that in seven months from the time the sur- 
veying party " last quitted the Cape" (Cape Town) 
"two-thirds of the officers and one-half of the seamen 
had fallen victims to the fever," but the work did not 
stop. 

On the 29th the Enterprise arrived off Port Natal. 
A strong breeze was blowing, which caused a heavy 
swell to set in, making it impracticable to send a ship's 
boat on shore. Indeed, it is usually so rough on the 



32 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

bar that ships' boats are seldom used, but surf boats, 
built for the purpose are employed instead.* 

The same cordial hospitality which we had experi- 
enced in other parts of South Africa was extended to us 
here. So far as could be learned, the Enterprise was 
the first United States man-of-war to visit this colony. 
Although we remained only long enough to fill up with 
coal and lay in some fresh provisions, still it was my 
good fortune to meet nearly all the American mission- 
aries stationed in this part of South Africa. It came 
about in this way. They were assembled at Isipingo 
at an annual convention, and on hearing of the arrival 
of the Enterprise, the general assembly sent a letter to 
Durban by one of their number, the Rev. Mr. Wilder, 
inviting the officers to visit them. It was the day before 
sailing, and all who were on shore were busy laying in 
mess stores, and there was not sufficient time to com- 
municate with the ship. Fortunately I was at the con- 
sulate when Mr. Wilder arrived. Mr. Cato, our 
distinguished consular agent, earnestly seconded the 
invitation and kindly volunteered his company ; hence, 
after luncheon we drove to Isipingo, about ten miles 
distant, and there took the conveyance that had been 
sent to meet us. Another drive of eleven miles over a 
very rough road brought us a little after dark to the 
Adams Mission, where — including children — nearly forty 

* The harbor has been greatly improved since the visit of the Enterprise. 
Extensive breakwaters are being constructed and docks built capable of accom- 
modating a large number of ships ; vessels drawing 15 feet are now taken into 
the inner harbor. 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 33 

Americans were assembled ; a fine body of intelligent, 
cultivated, and earnest workers. A very enjoyable 
evening was passed, and at daylight the next morning 
we started on horseback for Isipingo Station, arriving 
there in time to take the train for Durban. I was de- 
lighted with this visit, though so very brief, and it gives 
me pleasure to state that the labors of these missionaries 
were greatly appreciated not only by the natives but by 
the government itself. Of this I was assured by several 
intelligent and disinterested gentlemen. 

On the ist of June the Enterprise left Port Natal 
with thirty tons of coal on deck, and on the 7th arrived 
at Nos Vey, a small island near the coast of Madagascar, 
where several European traders have their store-houses. 

Six casts were taken while crossing Mozambique 
Channel, as follows : 

On June ist in 824 fathoms, lat. 29 46' S., long. 
31 58' 48" E. — bluish mud, sand and shells; on the 2d 
in 1325 fathoms, lat. 29 44' 30" S., long. 2,3° 2 &' E. — 
light brown mud, sand, and shells; on the 3d in 1107 
fathoms, lat. 29 51' 10" S., long. 35 46' 45" E. — gray 
sand and shells ; on the 4th in 2607 fathoms, lat. 28 
52' 25" S., long. 38 ij' 30" E. — no specimen ; on the 
6th in 1985 fathoms, lat. 24 49' 47" S., long. 42 52' 
45" E. — light brown ooze ; and on the 7th in 935 fathoms, 
lat. 2 3 51' 10" S., long. 43 31' 42" E. — light brown 
ooze. 

We remained here one day, then steamed to San 
Augustine Bay, a distance of about eight miles from Nos 



34 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

Vey. Before reaching the anchorage, which was very 
close to the shore, three casts were taken in the bay, in 
depths of 337, 520, and 338 fathoms ; dark brown mud. 

On the 9th we left San Augustine for Tullear Bay, 
fifteen miles distant, where we remained several days, 
taking advantage of the sea-breeze and smooth water in 
this well-protected and superb bay to exercise the crew 
in fleet tactics with boats, and at target-practice with 
great guns. 

This coast is the only one I have visited in late years 
where money is of little or no use and where empty 
bottles, provided they can stand on their own bottoms, 
will purchase poultry and other supplies. Soda bottles 
were of no value whatever. 

The people are savages, armed with spears and such 
old guns as traders have been accustomed to exchange 
for the products of the country. It was in this neigh- 
borhood that an American and a Frenchman were killed 
the year previous to our arrival. 

We left Tullear Bay on the 15th, and during the 
afternoon sounded in 569 fathoms, lat. 23 20' 15" S., 
long. 43 35' E ; brown mud. 

On the 1 6th sounded in 587 fathoms, lat. 22 of 
S., long. 42 59' 30" E. — yellowish-brown mud, sand ; 
and on the 17th again sounded in 872 fathoms, lat. 20 
22' 30" S., long. 43 45' 30" E. — yellowish-brown mud 
— and swung ship for compass deviations, arriving off 
Mourondava after dark. 

We had now reached a part cf Madagascar which 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 35 

was under the rule of the Hova government, and a faint 
resemblance to civilization was found. I at once com- 
municated with our consular agent, a man of very ec- 
centric habits, and before leaving entertained him and 
the Governor of the province on board ship. 

On the evening of the 20th we sailed from Mouron- 
dava, and on the 22d reached Mainterano, a trading 
station on the coast of Madagascar, situated in Sacalava 
territory. Here we met an American from New England 
who had professed the faith of Mohammed and who 
seemed to be sincere in his belief, having married a Mo- 
hammedan wife. 

On the 23d we left Mainterano under sail, and on 
the 24th sounded in a dead calm without getting up 
steam, finding bottom in 1445 fathoms, lat. 15 32' S., 
long. 44 io' 45" E.; light brown mud. This completed 
our deep-sea work in the Mozambique Channel. We 
then skirted the coast of Madagascar, finding in lat. 
1 5 44' 15" S., long. 45 30' 30" E., quite an extensive 
shoal which was not on the chart, Cape Tanzon bearing 
about E.S.E. | E., distant 12 miles. The least water 
found was 3! fathoms, but as there was not time to 
survey it thoroughly there may be still less water on some 
portions of the shoal. We anchored after dark, and on 
the morning of the 26th steamed into the harbor of 
Majunga. Knowing that for some time before our 
arrival in these waters the French had been at war with 
the Hovas, we were not surprised to find two French 
men-of-warin port, — the " Vaudreuile " and the " Pique,' 



36 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

— or to learn that the French had laid claim to this part of 
Madagascar. We were told that a French fleet of five 
vessels had bombarded the place on the 16th of May. 
dismantling the fort and destroying the Hova settlement 
I visited the fort and deserted village, and among the 
ruins picked up a Hova grammar and a mutilated copy 
of the " Moody and Sankey " hymn book printed in the 
Malagasy language. 

How little do we realize the changes that have taken 
place within this century ! Less than seventy years ago 
this people had no written language, but now, thanks 
chiefly to the missionaries, they not only have books 
printed in their own tongue, but their children are by law 
compelled to go to school. 

On the 27th of June we left Majunga, and on the 
28th reached Nosse Be\ steaming into one of the many 
magnificent bays of Madagascar. 

The scenery was inspiring ; the mountain peaks and 
sloping green hills were reflected in the smooth waters of 
the bay, forming a picture of surpassing beauty. The 
French have been established at Nosse Be for years, and 
have made it the seat of government. 

On the following day, after visiting the Governor, we 
took a walk through the native portion of the town, and 
as the day was very hot and the town dirty we thought 
its name — Hellville — a very appropriate one. 

We were, however, fortunate enough to find a merchant 
who had a small quantity of coal which he was willing to 
sell at a fair price, and on the 29th took on board about 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 37 

forty tons, and towards evening steamed out of the 
harbor. 

We had now reached that portion of the globe where 
it was necessary to swing ship careened at least 7 . To 
do this I had directed that enough of the coal should be 
dumped in the starboard gangway to give the desired 
list. Twenty or more tons were thus disposed of and we 
left the harbor careened 7^° to starboard, doubtless much 
to the surprise of the people on shore who were accus- 
tomed to see men-of-war arrive and depart neat and trim 
in appearance. When the required observations were com- 
pleted it was almost sunset, and in order to be prepared 
the following morning to swing again on an even keel the 
coal was struck below and stowed in the bunkers after 
dark. The dust penetrated every part of the ship, but 
we were now schooled into such a happy frame of mind 
that, in the interests of science, we could put up with 
anything ! 

On the 30th of June, the remaining observations on 
an even keel having been completed, we left for Tama- 
tave prepared to encounter the very strong head-winds 
which usually blow at this season along the east coast of 
Madagascar, but fortunately they proved of only moderate 
strength. 

The night of the 3d was passed at anchor under the 
Island of St. Mary's, and on the 4th of July we arrived 
at Tamatave, finding in port four French men-of-war, in- 
cluding the flagship Flore, bearing the flag of Rear- 
Admiral Pierre, one English vessel, H. M. S. Dryad, — 



38 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

Captain Johnstone, — and two American merchant-ves- 
sels. It was pleasing to note how quickly the foreign men- 
of-war followed the movements of the Enterprise in dress- 
ing ship. A national salute had been fired at sea in honor 
of the day about two hours before entering port, and our 
flags bent on in readiness to hoist and dress ship with a 
"rainbow " upon letting go the anchor. This was done, 
and simultaneously the English man-of-war hoisted her 
flags, dressing in "rainbow," and a moment later all the 
French ships were covered with bunting. It showed 
that the day was remembered, and that preparations were 
made to dress ship as soon as an American man-of-war 
was seen in the offing. 

Tamatave had been declared French, territory and 
was in a state of siege. At intervals during the day and 
night the French men-of-war fired into the Hova camp, 
about five miles distant from the anchorage. On the 
night after our arrival a raid was made by the Hovas 
upon the French troops occupying Tamatave, and a few 
were killed on both sides. The relations between the 
French and English were very much strained, doubtless 
on account of misapprehension of each other's motives. 

Fresh provisions were very scarce, owing to the suc- 
cessful efforts of the natives to keep their cattle inland. 

Having visited the three Americans who persisted in 
living on shore — all others having left at the outbreak of 
war — and learning from them that they did' not con- 
sider their lives in danger on account of hostilities, I 
left Tamatave on the 6th of July for the Comoro 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 39 

Islands, the two American merchant-vessels having 

o 

sailed a few hours before the departure of the Enterprise. 
The fresh winds which we had expected to encounter on 
our way to Tamatave, but which fortunately had failed 
us, now set in with much force, and a comparatively 
quick trip was made, chiefly under sail. 

We arrived at Johanna Town, Comoro Islands, on the 
morning of the ioth. I visited the blind but intelligent 
Sultan at his country residence on the opposite side of 
the island, and, while there, at his request viewed a lot of 
slaves which he told me had been landed on the island 
without his permission and against his wish, and which 
he was about to turn over to the commander of a small 
English gunboat to take to Zanzibar where they would 
be set free. There were 107 of these poor wretches hud- 
dled together, nearly all of whom were young, — ap- 
parently from five to seven years of age, — male and 
female. Before my interview with the Sultan was over 
they had started to cross the island to embark on board 
the gunboat. The English commander and I, mounted 
on good donkeys, overtook the slaves as they were being 
driven up the steep mountain-paths in the hot sun by 
the Sultan's followers, and it was painful to witness their 
sufferings. 

I was told afterwards that the crafty Sultan had kept 
back about thirty of the best of the slaves, and had 
secreted them where they could not be found; and that, of 
the 107 which started to cross the island, only 85 reached 
the ship, the others having been kidnapped on the way. 



40 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

It was well known that the Sultan's virtuous act in 
voluntarily surrendering these poor slaves to the English 
was inspired, not by the promptings of humanity, but by 
feelings of resentment towards a wealthy planter to whom 
it was said they were consigned. This planter, however, 
denied positively that he had sent for the slaves, and he 
appeared very much amused at the Sultan's action. 

The English sailors were of course greatly pleased at 
this episode, as they receive five pounds for each slave 
delivered at Zanzibar. The commander told me he 
would " worry the life " out of some one if those who 
had been kidnapped while crossing the island were not 
delivered up to him. 

Visits were exchanged with the young prince, who 
impressed us very favorably. He was intelligent, refined, 
and the husband of only one wife, to whom he was 
greatly attached. 

On the 13th we sailed for Zanzibar, arriving there on 
the 1 6th. Here we remained until the 25th of July, 
when, having filled up with coal and provisions and re- 
ceived on board a quantity of sounding wire which had 
been sent out from England, we sailed for the Seychelle 
Islands and resumed the work of deep-sea sounding. 
Two casts were taken daily,, as a rule, one early in the 
morning and the other in the afternoon. A strong 
easterly current was found nearly the whole distance, at 
times amounting to one knot an hour. 

On the night of the 1st of August, having reached 
the vicinity of an outlying coral reef, we anchored in 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 41 

27 fathoms, and the next morning steamed into the inner 
harbor, Port Victoria, Seychelle Islands. The depths of 
the casts taken on the way were as follows : 876, 1352, 
1 791, 2007, 2227, 2342, 2472, 2582, 2626, 2713, 2682, and 
2199 fathoms, respectively. Thus the depths increased 
regularly from Zanzibar until within 100 miles of these 
islands, and the character of the bottom changed with 
some regularity, as follows : gray ooze, gray ooze mixed 
with sand, gray ooze mixed with sand and shells, light 
brown ooze, sticky brown mud, bluish-colored mud, and 
finally dark brown mud. The temperature of the bottom 
was taken at each cast (except the tenth, when the wire 
parted), and found to be 30 Fahr. All of thdse casts 
were taken under steam, and in most cases with sails 
clewed up but not furled. 

I had intended giving liberty to the crew at the Sey- 
chelles, but found an epidemic prevailing on the islands, 
which resembled a mild form of smallpox, although the 
Commissioner Resident said that physicians on shore 
called it chicken-pox. I deemed it best, however, to 
keep every one on board, particularly as our surgeon 
was quite positive as to the character of the disease. 
Took on board fifty tons of coal, and on the 4th of 
August, at 5.15 p.m., steamed out of the inner harbor, 
anchoring, at 7 p.m., when well outside. 

On the 5th we got under way at 5.40 a.m. and 
made sail for the Straits of Sunda, sounding at 1 p.m. 
in 682 fathoms, lat. 4 23' 46" S., long. 56 18' 00" E., 



42 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

finding a bottom of gray ooze, sand, and shells. The 
weather was squally and the sea moderately rough. 

On the 6th a cast was taken in 2160 fathoms, lat. 4 
03' 26" S., long. 57 55' 30" E.; the character of the 
bottom being the same as in the last cast. The weather 
was still squally with rain and there was a heavy swell 
from the S.E. Current 0.7 knot an hour, setting S. 
82 E. 

On the 7th sounded at 6.30 a.m. in 2006 fathoms, 
lat. 3 08' 49" S., long. 6o° 08 15" E. — gray ooze, sand, 
and shells; and again at 4.50 p.m. in 2302 fathoms, lat. 
2 58' 54" S., long. 6o° 57' 03" E. — same character of bot- 
tom as before. Current 0.5 knot an hour, setting N. 
65 E. The weather was still squally, with rain, accom- 
panied by a swell from the southward and eastward. 
During the night the rain-squalls were very heavy, but 
the wind was not strong. 

On the 8th sounded in 2495 fathoms, lat. 2 35' 17" 
S., long. 6i° 40' 15" E.; gray ooze, sand, and shells. At 
9.10 p.m. a brilliant meteoric shower illumined the 
entire heavens. The winds were still from the southward 
and eastward, though inclined to be variable. Current 
0.7 knot an hour, setting S. 53 W., which was a marked 
change in direction. 

On the 9th sounded in 2501 fathoms, lat. 2° 04' 47' 
S., long. 62 15' 35" E.; gray ooze, sand, and shells. 
The weather was squally, with rain in the forenoon, but 
pleasant in the afternoon, and the wind gradually de- 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 43 

creased in force, but still held from the southward and 
eastward. Current 0.12 knot an hour, setting S. 59 W. 

On the 10th sounded in 2364 fathoms, lat. i° 33' 51" 
S., long. 63 n' 30" E. ; very light brown ooze, sand, 
and shells. The breeze was very light from the south- 
ward and eastward during the day. After dark there 
was much lightning to the northward and westward, and 
at midnight we had very heavy rain-squalls. Current 
0.5 knot an hour, setting S. 25 E. 

On the nth sounded in 2559 fathoms, lat. i° n" 49" 
S., long. 64 2o' 09" E.; brown ooze. The last three 
days were very warm, the mercury standing at 83 in 
the shade in the afternoon. The wind dying out, we 
started ahead under steam. Current 0.5 knot an hour, 
setting S. 25 E. 

On the 1 2th a cast was taken in 2212 fathoms, lat. o a 
43' 10" S., long. 66° 05' 42" E.; very light brown ooze. 
The day was delightfully pleasant, though warm. At 8 
a.m. a light breeze sprung up from the S.W., when sail 
was made and fires hauled. Current 0.9 knot an hour, 
setting S. 49 E. 

On the 13th sounded in 1812 fathoms, lat. o° 13' 59" 
S., long. 67 40' 33" E.; gray ooze, sand, and shells. The 
weather was very disagreeable, the wind changing to 
N.W., bringing heavy rain with squalls. Sea moderate. 
No noon observation. 

On the 14th we sounded in the morning in 2019 
fathoms, lat. o° 01' 04" S., long. 68° 55' 16" E.; gray 
ooze, sand, and shells. The weather was very wet and 



44 ' DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

squally, and a neavy squall struck the vesse. while the 
cast was being taken. We were now approaching the 
low Maldivh Islands, and a course was steered for the 
equatorial channel. The equator was crossed before 
noon, and at 4 p.m. another cast was taken in 2322 fath- 
oms, lat. o° 09/ 35" N., long. 69 41' 06" E. ; very light 
brown ooze. The winds were variable from the W., 
W.S.W., and S.W. No observation at noon. 

On the 15th sounded in 2305 fathoms, lat. o° 14' 20" 
N., long. yo° 44' 45" E. gray ooze, sand, and shells. The 
wind came out from the southward, and the weather 
cleared, the sun coming out bright and warm, drying the 
sails and decks, which had been soaked by the past rains. 
The wind later in the day was variable, from N. W., S. W., 
and S.E., becoming almost calm. Steam was raised at 
8 p.m., as we were quite near to the Maldivhs. Current 
0.63 knot an hour, setting N. j$° E. 

On the 1 6th, soon after daylight, we sighted some of 
the small low islands of the Swadive Atoll, and during 
the day were steaming through the equatorial channel. 
At noon we were just south of the principal island of 
this atoll (Wahdu Island). 

Four casts were taken, viz.: at 4.10 a.m. in 1977 
fathoms, lat. o° 04' 29" N., long. 72 30' 42" E. — gray 
ooze, sand, and shells; at 9 a.m. in 1243 fathoms, lat. o c 
03' 52" N., long, j 3 oc/ 00" E. — dark gray sand and 
shells; at 12 noon in 1027 fathoms, lat. o° 03' 52" N., 
long. 73 17' 18" E. — gray sand; and at 6 p.m. in 1329 
fathoms, lat. o° 03' 52" N., long. 73 44' 30" E. — gray 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 45 

sand. The ship was swung for compass deviations 
between the last two casts, the weather being pleasant. 
Current 1.5 knots an hour, setting S. 86° E. A light 
breeze sprung up from the southward and westward 
about sunset, when sail was made and fires were hauled 
as usual. 

On the 17th sounded in 2217 fathoms, lat. o° 21' 49" 
N., long. 74 46' 30" E. In reeling in the last 50 fath- 
,oms the wire parted with a jerk, losing 29 fathoms, cup, 
and thermometer. A shark which was seen swimming 
about the ship while sounding is supposed to have 
snapped at the specimen-cup and caused the wire to 
part. Current 1.3 knots an hour, setting N. 54 E. 

On the 1 8th a cast was taken in 2472 fathoms, lat. o° 
26' 52" N., long. 76 34' 45" E.; brown mud mixed with 
shells. Current 1.66 knots an hour, setting N. 87 E. 
A few squalls were experienced during the day. 

On the 19th sounded in 2^78 fathoms, lat. o°i8' 28" 
N., long. 78 33' 48" E.; dark brown mud. Current 
1.54 knots an hour, setting S. 71 ° E. The weather was 
somewhat squally during the day, with occasional rain. 
On the 20th sounded in 2609 fathoms, lat. o° 12' 9" 
N., long. 8o° 29' 55" E.; dark brown mud. Several heavy 
rain-squalls struck us during the day, and at times the 
rain came down in torrents. Current 1.33 knots an hour, 
setting S. 69 E. 

On the 2 1 st sounded at 7 a.m. in 2472 fathoms, lat. 
o° 14' 07" N., long. 82 36' 27" E. — dark brown mud; 
and again at 5.30 p. m. in 2436 fathoms, lat. o° 18' 19" 



46 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

N., long. 83 25' 30" E., brown mud. The weather was 
squally as usual, with sunshine between squalls; the 
wind being from the westward. Current 1.54 knots an 
hour, setting N. 8i° E. 

On the 2 2d a cast was taken in 2435 fathoms, lat. C 
33' 19" N., long. 84 58' 00" E.; light brown mud. Rain- 
squalls as usual flooded our decks, but the wind became 
light, varying in direction from W. by S. to S.S.W. Cur- 
rent 1.88 knots an hour, setting N. 73° E. 

On the 23d sounded in 2425 fathoms, lat. o° 39' 30" 
N., long. 86° 53' 15" E.; brown mud. We had occa- 
sional squalls, with light breeze from southward and east- 
ward. Current 1.92 knots an hour, setting N. 63 E. 

On the 24th sounded in 2394 fathoms, lat. o° 33' 22" 
N., long. 88° 18' 00" E.; very light brown mud. The 
weather was pleasant, with an occasional heavy rain- 
squall for variety. Current 1.41 knots an hour, setting 
N. 50 E. The first death on board occurred to-day — 
John Robertson, seaman, dying suddenly of heart-com- 
plaint. 

On the 25th we sounded in 2231 fathoms, lat. o° 04' 
30" South, long. 90 16' 15" E. — gray ooze, sand, and 
shells — having a few moments before noon crossed the 
equator in fine pleasant weather. Current 1.1 knots an 
hour, setting N. 68° E. Robertson was buried at sea in 
the morning with the usual honors. 

On the 26th a cast was taken in 2426 fathoms, lat. 
o° n' 00" S., long. 91 15' E. ; brown ooze. The day 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 47 

was charming, with light breeze from W.S.W. Current 
0.66 knot an hour, setting N. jj° E. 

On the 27th sounded at 6.30 a.m. in 2437 fathoms, 
lat. o° 18' 00" S., long. 92 19' 00" E. — brown ooze; 
and again in the afternoon in 2453 fathoms, lat. o° 23' 
56" S., long. 93 16' 43" E.— brown ooze. The wind 
became so light during the day that we got up steam. 
Shortly after sunset a peculiar brightening effect was ob- 
served, the whole atmosphere assuming a greenish hue 
which lasted a few minutes and then gradually disap- 
peared. Current 0.66 knot an hour, setting S. J3 E. 

On the 28th a cast was taken at 8 a.m. in 2442 
fathoms, lat. o° 37' 26" S., long. 94 23' E. — brown 
ooze ; and another at 5.20 p.m. in 2469 fathoms, lat. i° 
°3 2 2>" S., long. 95 02' 40" E. — brown ooze. The sur- 
face of the sea was covered with a peculiar kind of stringy 
stuff resembling Manila fibre, but of the consistency of 
jelly. The weather continued pleasant. Current 1 
knot an hour, setting S. 34 W. 

On the 29th sounded at 6 a.m. in 2681 fathoms, lat. 
i° 55' 24" S., long. 95 56' 27" E. — brown ooze; and 
again at 5.20 p.m. in 2518 fathoms, lat. 2 26' 42" S., long. 
96 47' 09" E. — brown ooze, black specks. Current 0.83 
knot an hour, setting S. ii° W. 

On the 30th sounded in 2355 fathoms, lat. 2 50' 24" 
S., long. 97 51' 09" E. — brown ooze, black specks — hav- 
ing swung ship for compass deviations before beginning to 
sound. In the afternoon the ship was again swung for 
compass deviations. Current 0.5 knot a«n hour, setting N. 



48 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

86° E. Constant lightning was observed on the eastern 
horizon during the whole night. 

On the 31st sounded at 6 a.m. in 2683 fathoms, lat. 
3 47' 52" S., long. 99 09' 57" E. — brown mud; and 
again in the afternoon in 3097 fathoms, lat. 4 14' 29" S., v 
long. 99 50' 29" E. — bluish-brown mud. No current. 
Lightning was observed to the east and northeast all 
night. 

On September 1st at 6 a.m. a cast was taken in 1593 
fathoms, lat. 4 45' 31" S., long. ioo° 50' 39" E. — light 
brown ooze, sand, and shells ; and another in the after- 
noon in 627 fathoms, lat. 5 u' 54" S., long. 101 39' 
53" E. — gray sand and shells. Engano Island was 
sighted before dark. Current 0.37 knot an hour, setting 
S. 67 E. 

On the 2d we took four casts as follows : at 6.30 a.m. 
in 203 fathoms, lat. 5 42' 18" S., long. 102 29' 46" E. — 
gray sand and shells; at 10.30 a.m. in 720 fathoms, lat. 
5 44' 29" S., long. 102 52' 49" E. — blue clay mixed 
with shells ; at 2.30 p.m. in 1087 fathoms, lat. 5°46' 02" 
S., long. 103 29' 29" E. — blue clay mixed with gray 
sand and shells; and at 6.30 p.m. in 1207 fathoms, lat. 
5 51' 12" S., long. 103 35' 40" E.— gray sand and black 
specks. 

Fine pumice-stone was spread over the surface of the 
water. Thick disagreeable weather and heavy rains were 
experienced at intervals throughout the day and night, 
and after dark vivid lightnings flashed continually. 

The 3d of September began with fresh but variable 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 49 

breezes from the southward and eastward. Egyptian dark- 
ness prevailed, made more intense by the vivid lightning 
which flashed from all parts of the heavens. We continued 
on towards Flat Cape light until well within the circle of 
illumination as marked on the chart, when at 1.25 a.m., 
not seeing the light, and being deluged with heavy rains, 
I decided to head off shore and await daylight — a wise 
conclusion, as will be shortly seen. At 6.45 a.m. we 
sounded in 522 fathoms, lat. 6° 05' 36" S., long. 104 15/ 
24" E. ; coarse gray sand. The weather remained ex- 
tremely thick, with heavy rain-squalls accompanied by 
thunder and lightning. At 8.30 a.m. we sounded in 227 
fathoms, lat. 6° 08' 54" S., long. 104 27' 12" E. — coarse 
gray sand, mixed with scoriae and pumice ; and at 10. 20* 
a.m. again sounded in 200 fathoms, lat. 6° n' 30" S.,. 
long. 104 26' 30" E. — coarse gray sand mixed with 
scoriae and pumice. 

This completed the line of sounding across the Indian 
Ocean. Thick rainy weather still continued, but at 1 1. 1 5 
a.m. it lighted up a moment, revealing Flat Cape light- 
house bearing north. 

The sea at this time was covered with floating pumice- 
stone from pulverized dust to blocks of large size. Ex- 
tensive patches of driftwood, trees of large size, and 
heavy limbs stripped bare, apparently but recently broken 
off, were also floating with the current. We were steam- 
ing through this drift all day, and frequently were obliged 
to change the course to avoid running into the larger 
trees. Occasionally nude bodies of white men and 



SO DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

women were seen floating on the water, and here and 
there the swollen carcass of a drowned animal. 

In the afternoon we sighted a man-of-war standing 
towards us, and at 4.45 p.m. stopped to communicate with 
the Prins Hendrick, a Dutch iron-clad, Captain McLeod, 
in answer to a signal flying from her masthead. We 
were told by the boarding officer that on the 27th of 
August — only a week before our arrival — there had >een 
a great earthquake and eruption of the Island of Krakatoa, 
two-thirds of which had disappeared ; that a tidal wave 
had destroyed Anjer and all the villages on both sides of 
the straits ; that Bezee Channel, through which I had in- 
tended to pass, was blocked up by newly-formed islands ; 
that the coast line of the straits had been somewhat 
changed ; that thousands upon thousands of people had 
been drowned ; that all the light-houses in the neighbor- 
hood had been destroyed or seriously injured, and that 
all lights were extinguished, including that of Flat Cape, 
which had not yet been relighted. No wonder, there- 
fore, that we had not seen the light though well within 
the radius of its usual illumination. And it was well that 
the vessel was headed off shore in time, for, had we con- 
tinued ten miles farther towards Flat Cape in search of 
the light, our cruise might have ended there. This officer 
;also told us that the pumice-stone was so thick on the 
Sumatra side of the straits — the wind having driven vast 
quantities cf it to that side — that it was impossible to 
communicate with the shore. This appalling news ac- 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 5 1 

counted for the drift which we had encountered in the 
straits. 

I volunteered to remain to assist in warning incom- 
ing vessels, but the captain did not consider it necessary, 
preferring that I should take despatches to the Dutch 
authorities at Batavia, with whom he had not communi- 
cated for some time. Accordingly we kept on for 
Batavia, changing the course of the vessel to avoid Bezee 
Channel. At 11.30 p.m. dropped anchor in 27 fathoms 
to await the morning. 

Under way at daylight on the morning of the 4th, 
with Krakatoa in full view ; and as we passed along the 
coast we could see something of the effects of the tidal 
wave. Not a house was standing where before there 
had been villages. At Anjer a portion of the base of 
the light-house was seen, and a few feet of the trunk of 
the large banyan tree which had been a prominent mark 
for many years. 

Thwartway Island, reported to have been rent in 
twain by the earthquake, at a distance appeared like 
two or more islands, but a closer inspection dispelled 
the illusion. 

At 6.45 p.m., September 4, 1883, the Enterprise 
anchored off Batavia. 

Two days after our arrival we were agreeably sur- 
prised to see the U. S. S. Juniata, Commander Harring- 
ton, entering port. This vessel had touched at Singa- 
pore, where a cablegram from the Navy Department 
was found directing the Juniata and the Enterprise to 



52 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

go to the Straits of Sunda to assist in warning vessels. 
Fortunately the Enterprise had already been there ; and 
although it was not really necessary that the Juniata 
should go, as the Dutch authorities had detailed several 
vessels for this work, still, to carry out the Department's 
order, the Juniata left at once and remained a few days. 
A large number of men were calking our decks when 
the Juniata arrived, and before the work was finished 
and the bunkers filled with coal the Juniata returned to 
Batavia, as her services were not needed. 

We remained at Batavia until the 19th, giving 
liberty to the crew and preparing for sea. For a few 
days previous to our departure fears were entertained 
that the iron-clad Prins Hendrick had come to grief, as 
the Dutch admiral had heard nothing from her captain 
for some time and no incoming vessel had seen her. 
I at once volunteered to search for the missing vessel, 
and agreed to cruise outside Flat Cape to Engano and 
300 miles beyond, thence to Bencoolen and back, as 
there was a possibility that she had become disabled in 
some way near the entrance to the straits and had 
drifted out to sea. The small Dutch vessels were to 
examine the bays and indentations on the Sumatra side 
of the straits. 

On the 1 8th, therefore, I took on board an extra 
amount of coal, intending to sail the following morn- 
ing, but before dark a vessel arrived bringing the wel- 
come news that the Prins Hendrick had been seen in 
Semanka Bay, Sumatra. This intelligence was at once 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 53 

sent to me by the admiral, with a letter of thanks for 
the proposed aid. 

As there was nothing to detain us longer at Ba- 
tavia we got under way on the morning of the 19th, 
and proceeded to the Straits of Sunda to examine more 
closely the effects of the earthquake and tidal wave. 
From St. Nicholas Point we steamed along the shore as 
close as was prudent, to see if the formation of the coast 
line had been changed, but no material alteration was 
discovered. The small island of Tempoza was stripped 
entirely of trees and soil, and the sides of the island of 
Merak were badly scored. We took a number of 
soundings close to the island and found them to agree 
with those on the chart. 

We then steamed for Anjer and anchored off the 
ruins. As many as could be spared went on shore. 
The desolation was truly apalling. Everything had 
been swept into the sea or levelled to the ground. 
Where before there was an extensive town, now not a 
house remained, but only the foundations, which were 
shown by rows and squares of bricks and mortar ; there 
was scarcely one brick upon another above the level of 
the ground. The streets, and indeed the whole place, 
were strewn with brick and coral. Every tree within 
the limits of the town had been twisted off near the 
ground, or had been uprooted altogether. A more per- 
fect scene of desolation cannot be imagined. We 
walked from the battery, where the dismantled guns 
were lying on the ground, to a point distant perhaps a 



54 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

mile back from the town, where a few cocoanut and 
other trees were standing. Mud and ashes adhered to 
the limbs to the very tops ; branches were found 
broken off at an estimated distance of at least thirty 
feet from the ground, and as these trees were on a 
higher level than the town, we judged that the tidal 
wave must have reached a height at this point of fifty 
feet. I was assured by the Dutch authorities at Batavia 
that the wave rushed up one of the valleys on the 
Sumatra side until it reached the base of a house which 
was 105 feet above the level of the sea by actual 
measurement. Before leaving the site Lieut. M. A. 
Shufeldt, U. S. N., took several photographs of the 
ruins. 

From Anjer we steamed to Thwartway and anchored 
for the night. The next morning I went on shore ac- 
companied by some of the officers. The tidal wave had 
swept through the depressions or valleys on the island, 
uprooting all the trees within its reach and washing 
them, together with every particle of soil and vegeta- 
tion, into the sea. The bed of the valley was composed 
of stones, coral, and boulders, with occasional patches of 
driftwood which had been caught therein when the 
waters subsided. 

Portions of the southern and western sides of the 
island gave evidence of more or less extensive land- 
slides. No trees remained except on the tops of the 
high portions of the island which had not been reached 
by the tidal wave, thus giving such a peculiar appear- 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 55 

ance to the island as to make it seem to be rent in twain 
by the earthquake. 

From Thwartway we steamed slowly towards Kra- 
katoa, taking frequent soundings. When about five 
miles from the new island which had formed in Bezee 
Channel, the leadsman reported 14 fathoms, which was 
much less than the chart gave. While engaged in 
locating the shoal by sextant angles, this island, called 
by the Dutch Calmeijer, suddenly began sending up 
large puffs of smoke and dust, and at the same time a 
line of heavy breakers appeared extending all the way 
across the channel between Bezee Island and Krakatoa. 
Thinking that a small tidal wave might be coming, the 
air-ports and the cabin stern-ports were closed quickly, 
boats hoisted which had just been lowered, and prepara- 
tions made to batten down the hatches. The disturb- 
ance, however, proved local and had no appreciable 
effect on the ship, although the eruption continued a 
half-hour and the chief engineer reported that the 
temperature of the injection-water went up 4 . 

We continued taking casts as we passed Krakatoa, 
whose bare sides, covered with ashes and scoria, re- 
vealed rents or gulleys running from top to bottom 
in irregular lines. Shortly after sunset, having steamed 
several miles beyond the volcano, the engines were 
stopped and the vessel was allowed to drift under fore- 
and-aft sails. 

Some time after dark a steamer was seen slowly ap- 
proaching our ship from the direction of Bezee Island. 



56 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

When a short distance away she fired a gun and sent 
up a rocket, then bore down on us and came within 
hail. It was the iron-clad Prinz Hendrick. Having 
a curiosity to learn of her experiences, I went on board 
myself. The captain told me that several days before 
he had run into Semanka Bay and sent two boats to 
communicate with the shore ; that while waiting for 
them to return the wind drove vast quantities of 
pumice-stone into the bay, making it impossible for the 
boats to return to the ship. Seeing that they had com- 
municated with the shore, and knowing therefore that 
his men would have sufficient food, he signalled 
them that he must put to sea on account of the 
increasing drift. Soon after getting under way, fine 
particles of pumice got into the valves and tempo- 
rarily disabled the engines, and he was obliged to 
anchor in 60 fathoms. Thirty hours were consumed 
in making repairs. He then made another attempt to 
push through the pumice-drift, which was at least three 
feet thick, and at last made out to reach clear water. 
He was surprised that there had been any anxiety on 
his account, as he had seen several vessels at a dis- 
tance while he was in Semanka Bay, and supposed 
that his vessel had been seen and that her position 
had been reported. He, in turn, was feeling anxious 
for the safety of a small gunboat which had been sent 
in search of him. We remained in the neighborhood 
until daylight, then steamed back, and while skirting 
the islands of Verlaten and Krakatoa, a man-of-war was 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 57 

seen approaching. I signalled to her that I had a 
communication to make, and sent an officer to explain 
the situation. She proved to be the vessel about 
which Captain McLeod had expressed some concern. 

Many of the crew and several of the officers, includ- 
ing the navigator, having by this time come down with 
the dengue fever, fortunately of a comparatively mild 
type, I decided to proceed at once to Singapore. 

We sailed leisurely through the Java Sea, which was 
covered with fine particles of pumice-stone, and on the 
30th of September arrived at Singapore, having stopped 
en route one day at Mintok. 

At Singapore a telegram was received from Rear- 
Admiral Crosby directing me to proceed at once with 
the Enterprise to Hong Kong, on account of the riot 
at Canton and the disturbed condition of affairs in 
China. Thus the visit to Borneo had to be given up. 

Note. 

I can finish this chapter in no better way than to 
copy extracts from a Boston newspaper giving the ex- 
periences of the bark W. H. Besse near the Straits of 
Sunda at the time of the earthquake. 



58 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



"EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES. 
" STRANGE MISHAPS WHICH BEFELL THE BARK W. H. BESSE. 

" Nestling since Thursday afternoon in her cosey 
land-locked quarters at the yard of the Standard Sugar 
Refinery, South Boston, the bark W. H. Besse, from 
Manila, the first that has reached us with vivid realiza- 
tion of the volcanic eruptions in Asia, gives little indi- 
cation of the extraordinary perils through which she has 
passed. . . . Having sailed toward the Straits of Sunda, 
on the 26th of August light airs and calms were met. 
Throughout the afternoon and night heavy reports were 
heard, like the discharge of monstrous artillery, the 
sounds seeming to come from the direction of Kraka- 
toa Island, which is situated in the Straits of Sunda, 
lat. 6° 9/ S., long. 105 29/ E., and is about seven miles 
long and five miles broad. It became very dark and 
cloudy through the night, with continuous and countless 
flashes of lightning in every direction. The barometer 
was 30.15. Monday, August 27th, opened with strong 
breezes and thick, cloudy weather. At 9,30 a.m. the 
pilot left the vessel. Ever since daybreak a dark heavy 
bank had been noticed to the westward, which continuing 
to rise, the sun became obscured and the whole heavens 
grew black. All hands were called on deck, every bit 
of canvas was furled, the port anchor was let go, and 
Captain Baker, with the fortitude of one resolved to die 
at his post if necessary, calmly awaited the catastrophe. 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 59 

Scarcely had the sails and port anchor been disposed of 
than the squall struck the side of the bark with ter- 
rible force. The starboard anchor was then let go with 
eighty fathoms of chain. With the squall came a 
heavy shower of sand and ashes. The atmosphere had 
become by this time darker than the darkest night. 
The barometer continued to rise and fall an inch at a 
time, the wind was blowing a hurricane, and the water 
was lashed into such a tumultuous motion as can hardly 
be conceived. A heavy rumbling with reports like 
steadily increasing thunder continued, and the awful 
blackness overhead was rendered still more appalling by 
the lurid and fitful lightning that flashed in jagged yet 
concentric streaks. The captain describes the contrast- 
ing darkness as the most intense he ever knew, and 
although it was still daytime there was not enough day- 
light to see one's own hand. At this time Bezee 
Island was bearing north by west about five or six 
miles, and Anjier, which witnessed the terrible destruc- 
tion of land and life caused by the earthquake and 
eruptions, was in comparative proximity. A stifling 
smell of sulphur permeated the whole atmosphere, 
making it difficult to do the amount of breathing 
necessary to sustain consciousness. All the elements 
of nature seemed to be massed in menacing hostility. 
The tide was setting strongly to the west, and the 
bark rushed along under bare poles at the speed of 14 
knots an hour. A seaman on account of the darkness 
walked off the forward house, striking his head on the 



<5o DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

deck and was shockingly injured. The sounds and 
scenes through all the hours of the day and night were 
of the most awful description that can be imagined ; the 
shrieking winds, the spuming and churning waters, the 
murky and impenetrable veil overhead and on every 
side, and the tons of ashes, pumice-stone, and earthy 
fragments that threatened to engulf the fated bark, 
combining to daze and appal every soul on board. 
From the poor little Chinaman who has linked his lot 
with this vessel for six years, to the hapless native of 
the Philippines, the hardy Scandinavian who had 
weathered many a gale, the cheery and courteous mate, 
and even to the master of the ship, there was spread the 
common feeling of some catastrophe, and the sense of 
a disturbance in nature utterly beyond any before ex- 
perience by mariner. Several were convinced that the 
day of final judgment had come. 

"At 3 p.m. the sky began to grow a little lighter, 
although the ashes and other volcanic matter continued 
to fall. The bark hove short on her starboard anchor. 
The barometer rose and fell rapidly and then became sta- 
tionary. The whole ship, rigging and masts were coated 
with sand and ashes to the depth of several inches. 

" August 27th began with light airs and thick, smoky 
weather, and there was a dead calm through the day 
and night. The men on the Besse saw vast quan- 
tities of trees and dead fish floating by with the tide, the 
water having a whitish appearance, caused by a surface 
of light ashes. It was soon discovered that in the 



VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 6l 

midst of the natural convulsion mighty changes had been 
wrought in the outlines of sea and shore, while islands 
had sunk, the entire northwest part of Krakatoa Island 
had disappeared, and the beautiful forest-clothed islands 
of Lang and Verlaten had been completely denuded. 
The day ended with a dead calm and thick, smoky 
atmosphere. 

" On August 28th the day came in with calms, but 
thick, murky weather. Immense masses of cocoanuts, 
trees, and fish were encountered, the debris extending 
over a surface of more than five hundred miles. In 
the afternoon no light-house or sign of life could be 
discerned on any side. All light sails were furled and 
the bark stood out under easy sail through the night. 

" On Thursday, August 30th, the water was found 
covered with large trees and driftwood, it being almost 
impossible to steer clear of them. A sharp lookout 
was kept in the forecastle through the day, and 
large masses of dead bodies were passed. At 10 a.m. 
Java light-houses were sighted, but the wind hauling 
ahead, the bark kept away to the westward of Punce 
Island. . . ." 



CHAPTER III. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

RECEIVE ORDERS TO PROCEED WITH THE ENTERPRISE 

TO THE UNITED STATES VIA AUSTRALIA. HONG 

KONG. SOURABAYA, JAVA. ALBANY, WEST AUSTRA- 
LIA. MELBOURNE, VICTORIA. WELLINGTON, NEW 

ZEALAND. RUN LINE OF DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS FROM 

WELLINGTON TO MAGELLAN STRAITS. SANDY POINT. 

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY. 

As this is not a general history of the cruise of the 
Enterprise, I pass over an interesting period of nearly 
two years, merely mentioning that the winter of 1883 
was passed in the waters of Korea, when Chemulpo con- 
sisted of a handful of small rude houses, and Seoul, the 
capital, had but two ladies of western civilization 
within her walls ; that in the spring of 1884 we had the 
honor of taking our minister, the Hon. John Russell 
Young, and the commander-in-chief of the U. S. naval 
forces, Rear-Admiral J. L. Davis, to nearly all the treaty 
ports in China, including those up the Yangtse River, 
as far as Hankow ; and that later in the year the 
Enterprise vyas present at the bombardment of Foo- 

choo arsenal, Pagoda Anchorage, and witnessed the 

62 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 63 

destruction of the Chinese fleet, and the passing of the 
forts in the Min River, by the French squadron under 
Vice-Admiral Courbet. 

On the 9th of July, 1885, while in Min River, 
China, where we had been for the third time during the 
cruise, the long-expected orders to proceed home were 
received. Upon being relieved by another United 
States vessel, the Enterprise was to proceed to New 
York via Australia, run a line of soundings between 
Wellington, New Zealand, and Cape Horn, and be- 
tween Montevideo and the United States. The choice 
of route to Australia and New Zealand, as well as the 
parallel of latitude on which to run the soundings in the 
South Pacific, were left to my discretion. 

Upon the arrival of the Palos I took from 
her a sounding reel and a quantity of spare wire, 
and on the 20th of July left Min River, arriving on 
the 24th at Hong Kong, having touched at Amoy on 
the way. 

We filled up with coal and provisions and sailed 
from Hong Kong on the 24th of July with a homeward- 
bound pennant, 365 feet long, streaming from the main- 
truck. It was the season of the S.W. monsoons, and 
the weather at the start was very thick. Expecting to 
encounter head-winds on the passage, we housed top- 
masts as soon as clear of land, sent down topsail yards, 
and landed the lower yards on the rail. For much the 
greater part of the way the wind and currents were 
against us, but on the 10th of August we reached 



64 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

Sourabaya, Java, having steamed the whole distance, 
1978 miles, with no help from our canvas except occa- 
sionally when the wind veered enough to permit the 
fore-and-aft sails to draw. The actual number of knots 
steamed was considerably more than 2000, on an ex- 
penditure of coal of about 150 tons. 

Sourabaya had recently been scourged by the Asiatic 
cholera, but as there were no cases when we arrived the 
physicians thought it would be perfectly safe to give 
the crew liberty. This was particularly desirable, as for 
months there had been no opportunity to let the men 
go on shore. I therefore remained a number of days 
at Sourabaya for this purpose, filling up with coal and 
provisions in the mean time. The Dutch residents were 
very cordial in their welcome, and made our visit an 
agreeable one. Our accomplished consular agent, Mr. 
Silva Rupe, won our hearts by his uniform kindness. 
The only American man-of-war that had visited Soura- 
baya within the memory of any white resident was the 
U. S. S. Iroquois, Captain C. R. P. Rodgers, and this 
occurred about twenty years before our arrival. We 
left Sourabaya on the 16th of August, and on the morn- 
ing of the 17th passed through Baly Straits. 

On the 19th, when but three days out, Charles 
Christiensen, captain of the foretop, died suddenly of 
what appeared to be genuine Asiatic cholera, and was 
buried the same day. The ship was at once fumigated 
and the clothing of the deceased destroyed. Fortun- 
ately no other cases followed. 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 65 

Although we were not directed to sound before 
reaching Wellington, New Zealand, it was thought best 
to take a few' casts on the passage to Australia, to test 
the wire, which had remained on the reel for two years 
and also the working of the whole apparatus ; accord- 
ingly on the 24th of August a cast was taken in 3066' 
fathoms, lat. 19 08' S., long. 105 20' E. The shot: 
did not detach itself upon reaching bottom, and while 
working it up and down the wire parted and 2826 fath- 
oms were lost. 

On the 27th another cast was taken in'3182 fathoms, 
lat. 23 oi' S., long. 101 20' E. When the wire was 
nearly reeled in it parted with a jerk. Two enormous- 
sharks had been swimming about the ship while this 
cast was being taken, and one of them was supposed to> 
have snapped at the specimen-cup as it was nearing the 
surface — possibly swallowing it — as happened once be-' 
fore on our outward voyage. A large steel hook was 
immediately baited with a piece of salt pork, and soon 
one of the two was caught and hoisted half-way out of 
the water, but unfortunately it succeeded in getting 
away, much to our disappointment, as we had hoped to 
recover the lost specimen-cup. This was not an absurd 
expectation, for it is well known that sharks are not 
fastidious in regard to their diet. I myself have seen 
in the stomach of a shark caught off Mobile in 1862 two, 
meat-cans and an old shoe. 

On the 31st of August we sounded in 2586 fathoms;, 
lat. 29 20' S., long. 101 55' E., and again the wire 



66 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

parted when it was nearly reeled in, but in this case the 
cause was due to a kink. 

On the 5th of September we rounded Cape Leu- 
win, the southwesternmost point of Australia, and on the 
6th entered King George's Sound and anchored off 
Albany. This magnificent harbor will one day be of 
immense importance as a naval arsenal. Here we filled 
up with coal, taking it from hulks which were brought 
alongside. No one on shore could remember any visit 
of an American man-of-war before the arrival of the 
Enterprise. 

On the 8th of September we got under way for Port 
Melbourne. When sufficiently clear of the land the 
ship was swung for compass deviations, and then a cast 
was taken in 11 28 fathoms, lat. 35 26' S., long. 118 $f 
E., well within view of Bald Head and Eclipse Island. 

On the 1 6th September we anchored off Port Mel- 
bourne. Here we remained one month fitting the ship 
for her coming voyage across the South Pacific, enjoy- 
ing the hospitality of the good citizens of Melbourne 
and gaining grander ideas of the possibilities of republics. 
We saw much of the colonists, and were impressed with 
the advances they are making in civilization. Having 
the experiences of the Old World and the New World 
to guide them, they sift the good from the bad, and 
enact laws which in turn serve as models for the older 
nations. The so-called "working people" appear to ex- 
ert a greater influence in Australia than they do in the 
United States ; and it struck me that the average intel- 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 67 

ligence of the colonists was higher than that of our own 
people. 

Australasia is not appreciated by us as it should be. 
An empire is growing at the antipodes which, if im- 
perial federation is not brought about within a few 
years, will become independent and will exert a tre- 
mendous influence, not only among the islands of the 
Pacific, but throughout the world. As large in territory 
as the United States, it already has about 4,000,000 
whites, or more than the population of the original thir- 
teen colonies when they became an independent nation. 
They are a whole-souled, gallant race, and we left their 
country with a genuine love for the people and a firm 
belief in their future greatness. 

The idea of a federation or alliance of all English- 
speaking peoples was discussed with enthusiasm, and 
their orators in eloquent language depicted the benefi- 
cial results which might follow the realization of their 
dream. 

On the 1 6th of October the Enterprise sailed for 
New Zealand. The weather became thick as we ap- 
proached land, and nothing could be seen until we were 
well within Cook's Straits. A moderate gale increased 
the difficulties of navigation, but at last we sighted the 
entrance to Queen Charlotte's Sound, where we an- 
chored on the 25th. 

On the 26th the Enterprise reached Wellington. 
New Zealand, from which point the line of soundings to 
Cape Horn was to begin. 



68 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

The cordial greeting extended to us by the govern- 
ment and by the good people of Wellington generally, 
because of their high regard for the United States, was 
particularly gratifying. The sentiment in favor of a fed- 
eration of all the English-speaking peoples was stronger, 
if possible, here than in Australia. As in Melbourne,, 
so also at Wellington we were treated like brothers, 
and it was a matter of deep regret that our time was too 
limited to enable us to visit other parts of New Zealand 
or make excursions into the interior. 

Having before us a long run of at least 4500 miles 
over a portion of the South Pacific noted for its storms 
and heavy seas, I thought it advisable to fill up with the 
very best coal in Wellington, and through the exertions 
of Mr. Levin, our accomplished consular agent, was 
fortunate enough to obtain a supply of Cardiff coal of 
superior quality. 

Late in the afternoon of the 5th of November, 1885, 
we left Wellington, anchoring when out of sight of the 
city in a small bay a few miles distant, in order that the 
crew, many of whom had been entertained at a banquet 
on shore the evening before, might have a refreshing 
sleep. Moreover, New Zealand being noted for its sud-. 
den and heavy gales, I wished to be fully prepared to 
encounter bad weather. 

We got under way early in the morning of the 6th 
and put to sea. The ship, deeply laden, had her decks 
encumbered with coal, of which thirty tons were in 
bags ; hen-coops filled with poultry ; twelve live sheep 






HOMEWARD BOUND. 69 

and a dozen pigs, besides quantities of provisions laid in 
by the different messes. 

As night approached a fresh gale from the N.N.W. 
overtook us which necessitated lying to, but before the 
gale became too heavy we sounded in 637 fathoms. 

When discussing the subject of deep-sea soundings 
with some of the inhabitants of Wellington, I was led to 
expect that a plateau existed between New Zealand and 
the Chatham Islands upon which shallow water might 
be found. Tradition states that once upon a time a 
fisherman had anchored between the two groups well 
out of sight of land. We found a plateau, as will be 
seen further on, and it is very possible that the tradition 
is true. Considering the route taken, the season of the 
year in which the line of soundings was run, and the 
fact that the Enterprise was t\\e first vessel to sound the 
depths of this part of the Pacific, I have thought it best 
to quote freely from my private journal and the ship's 
log-book. As stated in the Introduction, the latest 
charts (1892) do not record a single deep-sea cast south 
of this line between New Zealand and Cape Horn, a 
distance of one hundred and fifty degrees of longitude, 
although nearly seven years have elapsed since the 
Enterprise visited those waters. Moreover, a detailed 
account will give a better idea of the work required of 
the crew in taking these casts, and it should also be re- 
membered that the terms of enlistment of many of the 
men had expired, and that nearly every officer had been 
away from his home three years or more. 



70 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

November 6, 1885. At 5.12 a.m. got under way and 
proceeded to sea with a falling barometer. At 8.05 
a.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 637 
fathoms, lat. 41 ° 41' S., long. 175 oo' E. In reeling in 
the wire parted, losing 300 fathoms and the sounding- 
cup. At 8.50 a.m. made sail, uncoupled propeller, and 
banked fires. The wind increasing to a moderate gale 
from the N.N.W. to N.W., accompanied by a rough 
sea, fires were spread, and at 4 p.m. the vessel was lying 
to under after-stormsails, assisted by the engines, which 
were kept moving slowly. The roll of the ship was 
deep, at times 32 to starboard and 20 to port. The 
decks were continually drenched with spray, the hatches 
were battened down, and altogether the night was a 
most uncomfortable one. The success of our undertak- 
ing did not look promising. At 8 the barometer stood 
29.27 ; at midnight 29.31. Temperature 54 . 

November 7. At midnight the gale broke, and at 
1.30 a.m. the ship was put on her course under sail, the 
wind decreasing steadily in force and veering to the 
westward. At 6.15 a.m. shortened and furled sail, then 
sounded in 1192 fathoms, lat. 42 27' S., long. 175 34' 
E. ; blue mud. At 7.10 a.m. started ahead under steam. 
The wind became variable and light during the day, the 
sky overcast with mist and drizzling rain. In the even- 
ing the wind veered to the southward of east. At 
8.40 p.m. stopped steaming, uncoupled, made sail, and 
banked fires. Sea moderately smooth at night. At 
midnight barometer 29.81, temperature 54 . 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 7 1 

November 8. The wind gradually backed from E. 
by S. at i a.m. to S.E. at 3 p.m., then veered to N.E. by 
E. near midnight, decreasing in force until the ship 
made but one knot an hour. Sea quite smooth. Tem- 
perature of surface-water both yesterday and to-day 
varied from 54 to 58 , the change taking place in an 
hour, evidently produced by a current. Found a cur- 
rent averaging 0.5 knots an hour setting N. 71 ° E. At 
midnight barometer 30.10, temperature 59 . 

November 9 (1). Wind light from N.E. by N. to 
N.N.E. until 9 p.m., when it veered to the northward 
and westward, force variable. At 3.25 a.m. shortened 
and furled sail, then sounded in 1320 fathoms, lat. 43 07' 
S., long. 178 19' E. ; gray ooze. After sounding, swung 
ship for compass deviations. At 5.25 a.m. made sail, 
uncoupled, hauled fires, and shaped a course to pass to 
the southward of the Chatham Islands. Sea smooth 
until afternoon, when the wind freshened, causing a 
moderate sea by midnight. Current 0.6. knot an hour, 
setting S. 54 W. At midnight barometer 29.98, tem- 
perature 5 8°. 

November 9 (2). Crossed the 180th meridian this 
morning. At 6.25 a.m. started fires in two boilers and 
took in mainsail. At 8.30 a.m. took in all sail, then 
sounded in 224 fathoms, lat. 43 37' S., long. 179 37' 
W. ; soft blue mud, black specks — a great change since 
yesterday. We had evidently struck the edge of the 
plateau of which tradition speaks. At 8.45 a.m. made 
sail and banked fires. At 1 p.m. took in sail, then 



■J2 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

sounded in 160 fathoms, lat. 43 53' S.,long. 179° n'W. ; 
gray and black sand, shells, lava. At 1.15 p.m. made 
sail to royals, banked fires. At 6.50 p.m. hove to and 
sounded in 184 fathoms, lat. 44' 08' S., long. 1 78 57' W. ; 
gray sand, black specks, shells, and lava. At 7 p.m. put 
ship on her course, uncoupled, let fires die out. During 
the forenoon there was a moderately stiff breeze from the 
northward, varying a point or two on either side. In the 
afternoon the wind gradually veered to the N.W., de- 
creasing in force, aud by 10 p.m. the vessel had no steer- 
age way. Long swell from the northward. At 8 p.m. 
it became foggy. Current 0.8 knot an hour, setting S. 
48 E. At midnight barometer 29.93, temperature 

56 . 

November 10. Began with light airs from north- 
ward, then calm. At 4 a.m. light airs from eastward. 
Foggy about the horizon. At 8.15 a.m. hove to, to 
sound, using the casting lead; but not finding bottom in 
300 fathoms, filled away and started fires in two boilers. 
At 10.30 a.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded 
in 751 fathoms, lat. 44 41' S., long. 178 53' W. ; gray 
sand, black specks, blue mud. At 11. 15 a.m. made sail, 
banked fires, uncoupled. Set in thick and foggy again 
in the afternoon, with wind increasing to a fresh breeze 
trom N.N.E. Barometer falling. At 3 p.m. spread fires. 
At 3.45 p.m. took in sail and sounded again in 996 fathoms, 
lat. 45 02 ' S., long. 178 21' W.; gray mud and sand. 
At 4.15 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. At 
7.35 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded again in 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 73 

1 38 1 fathoms, lat. 45 1 i' S., long. i77°53 / W.; gray mud 
and sand. At 8.10 p.m. made sail, uncoupled. Long 
swell from S.S.W. Stiff breeze at midnight. Current 
0.5 knot an hour, setting S. 25 E. Barometer at mid- 
night 29.84, temperature 54 . 

November 1 1. Moderate to fresh breeze from the 
northward and eastward during the day. Weather 
cloudy, with occasional light rain and fog. At 3 a.m. took 
in mainsail and started fires in two boilers. At 4.45 a.m. 
shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2 180 fathoms, 
lat. 45 45' S., long. 176 37' W. ; gray mud and sand. 
At 6 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, and let fires die out. 
At 3.30 p.m. took in mainsail and started fires. At 5.35 
p.m. shortened and furled sail and sounded in 2237 
fathoms, lat. 46 19' S., long. 174 34' W. ; gray mud. 
At 6.40 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, and let fires die out. 
Foggy drizzling rain. Moderate sea from northward, 
gradually increasing. Current 0.7 knot per hour, set- 
ting S. 2)7° E. Barometer falling during the day from 
29.79 to 29.22 at midnight. Temperature 55 . 

November 12. Overcast, foggy with drizzling rain. 
Fresh to stiff breeze from northward and westward. 
Moderate sea from the northward. Ship under top- 
gallant sails. At 3 a.m. took in mainsail and started 
fires. At 5.18 a.m. shortened and furled sail, then 
sounded in 2782 fathoms, lat. 46 36' S., long. 172 34' 
W.; dark gray mud. At 7.27 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, 
banked fires. Roll of ship 20 to starboard, 15 to 
port. At 5.20 p.m. hauled up mainsail and spread fires. 



74 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

At 6.10 p.m. took in all sail, then sounded in 3002 fath- 
oms, lat. 46 50' S., long. 170 34' W. In reeling in, 
the attendant carelessly let the instrument used in guid- 
ing the wire catch in a splice and the wire parted, 
losing 1300 fathoms and specimen-cup. At 8.50 p.m. 
made sail, uncoupled, and let fires die out. Current 0.8 
knot per hour, setting S. 58 E. Barometer at mid- 
night 29.66, temperature 54 . 

November 13. Misty with light drizzle. Wind 
light from the northward and westward, becoming calm 
at 6 p.m., followed by light breeze from the southward 
and eastward at 9 p.m. At 12.26 p.m. took in mainsail 
and started fires in two boilers. At 3.40 p.m. shortened 
and furled sail, then sounded in 2972 fathoms, lat. 47 08' 
S., long. 1 68° oo' W. ; gray and brown mud. At 4.55 
p.m. made sail, uncoupled, and hauled fires. Roll of 
ship 22 to starboard and the same to port. "Weather 
has been so wet and foggy, with so little sunshine, the 
decks are always damp and the pigs have bad colds ! " 
Current 0.8 knot per hour, setting S. 58 E. Barom- 
eter at midnight 29.71. 

November 14. Gentle breeze from southward 
and eastward, increasing to fresh breeze in the afternoon. 
At 11.30 a.m. took in mainsail and started fires. At 
3.30 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 
2881 fathoms, lat. 46 52' S., long. 166 46' W. ; brown 
mud. At 4.55 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, and let fires 
die out. Long swell from the northward. Current 0.3 
knot per hour, setting to the eastward. Caught a 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 75 

small albatross — nine feet from tip to tip — and released 
it after taking measurements. At midnight light airs. 
Barometer 29.76, temperature 51 . 

November 15. Light and variable airs from mid- 
night to 4 a.m., when a breeze came out from the north- 
ward a little easterly, increasing to a stiff breeze with 
squalls and threatening weather, accompanied by driz- 
zling rain until 1 1 p.m., when breeze died out. Moder- 
ate sea with long swell. At 1.25 p.m. hauled up main- 
sail and started fires. At 4.30 p.m. took in all sail, then 
sounded in 2793 fathoms, lat. 47 22' S., long. 164 34' 
W. ; brown mud and gravel. At 5.50 p.m. made sail, 
uncoupled and hauled fires. Current 0.3 knot per 
hour, setting to the eastward. Barometer at midnight 
29.61, temperature 52 . 

November 16. Light breeze from the westward, 
veering to south and increasing to moderate breeze. 
Pleasant weather. At 12.30 p.m. took in mainsail and 
started fires. At 3 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then 
sounded in 2750 fathoms, lat. 47 54' S., long. 162 22' 
W. ; brown mud. At 4.25 p.m. commenced swinging 
ship for compass deviations. At 5.15 p.m. made sail, un- 
coupled, and hauled fires. The reel showed signs of 
distress, and, in order to repair it, the wire was trans- 
ferred to the reel taken from the Palos. Current 0.5 
knots per hour, setting S. 44 E. Barometer at mid- 
night 29.56, temperature 50 . 

November 17. Moderate to gentle breeze from 
the southward and westward until 9 a.m., then light 



j6 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

and variable, and for the rest of the day there was 
scarcely steerage way on the ship. At 10.15 a.m. took in 
mainsail and started fires. At 1.08 p.m. took in all sail, 
then sounded in 2533 fathoms, lat. 48 16' S., long - . 160 
if W.; light brown mud, stone, shells. After sound- 
ing, swung ship for compass deviations. At 5.15 p.m. 
finished swinging ship, then made sail, uncoupled, and 
hauled fires. At 11. 15 p.m. the wind came out from 
the southward, increasing to a moderate breeze. Cur- 
rent 0.75 knot per hour, setting to the eastward. 
Barometer at midnight 29.79, temperature 50 . A large 
number of albatross following the ship, caught a 
small one whose w T ings measured ten feet from tip to 
tip. 

November 18. Light to gentle breeze from 
S.S.E., veering to northward and westward during the 
latter part of the day. Long heavy swell from the 
eastward. There has evidently been a gale in front of 
us, which accounts for the calm of yesterday and the 
light breeze to-day. At 3.35 p.m. took in mainsail and 
started fires. At 6.18 p.m. shortened and furled sail, 
then sounded in 2796 fathoms, lat. 48 23' S., long. 
l S9° °5' W.; brown mud. Yesterday and to-day we 
used the Palos reel, which necessitates reeling in by 
hand, thus consuming more time than, usual. At 8.45 
p.m. made sail, uncoupled, hauled fires. No current 
observed during the last 24 hours, doubtless on account 
of the heavy swell from the eastward. Barometer at 
midnight 29.92, temperature 50 . 



HOMEWARD BOUND. J 7 

November 19. Fresh breeze, varying slightly in 
direction between north and northwest, and increasing 
to a fresh gale with squalls from N.N.W. Moderate, 
increasing to rough sea. At 9.25 a.m. took in main- 
sail and started fires in distiller boiler, and at 11.25 A - M - 
started fires in another boiler for sounding. At 2 
p m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2789 
fathoms, lat. 48 51' S., long. 156 43' W.; brown mud, 
black specks. At 3.45 p.m. made sail to double-reefed 
topsails and single-reefed foresail, uncoupled, and banked 
fires. Used the old working reel to-day, it having been 
repaired. The gale increasing and the sea becoming 
heavy from the N.N.W., I was obliged to shorten sail 
and lie to under after-stormsails, with engines turning 
slowly. Ship rolling deeply. Greatest observed roll 
34 to starboard and 28 to port. Current 0.5 knot 
per hour, setting S. 44 E. Barometer at midnight 
29.42, temperature 51 . 

November 20. Began with overcast, squally, and 
rainy weather ; moderate gale from northward and west- 
ward, accompanied by a long swell and heavy sea. 
Ship lying to and rolling deeply. Extreme observed 
roll 33 to starboard and 31° to port. At about 4 a.m. 
the gale broke and the sea soon moderated, the wind 
veering to the westward, bringing a bright cheerful day 
with sunshine. Made sail at 4.30 a.m. and put vessel 
on her course. Spread fires and at 2.45 p.m. took in all 
sail, then sounded in 2509 fathoms, lat. 48 57' S., long. 
1 54 21' W.; yellowish-brown mud and broken shells. 



yS DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

At 4.20 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, hauled fires. Cur- 
rent 1 knot per hour, setting S. 73 E. Barometer at 
midnight 29.91, temperature 50 . 

November 21. Began pleasant, with fresh breeze 
from the northward and westward, accompanied by a 
long swell and moderate sea. At 4.20 a.m. hauled up 
mainsail and started fires. At 7.20 a.m. shortened and 
furled sail, then sounded in 2650 fathoms, lat. 49 09' 
S., long. 152 02' W.; yellow mud, shells. At 8.50 a.m. 
made sail to topgallant sails, hauled fires, uncoupled. 
The wind freshened towards noon and in the afternoon 
was squally. At 4.05 p.m. hauled up mainsail and 
started fires. At 6.55 p.m. shortened and furled sail, 
then sounded in 2915 fathoms, lat. 49 06' S., long. 
150 00' W. After having reeled in to within 75 
fathoms of the cup the wire parted. Upon examina- 
tion a defect was found in the wire. Lost 75 fathoms 
and specimen-cup. At 8.35 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, 
and hauled fires. At 10 p.m. the wind veered to the 
S.W. Current 0.6 knot per hour, setting S. 73 E- 
At noon barometer stood 29.78, at midnight 29.90. 
Temperature 49 . 

November 22. Began with fresh breeze from 
S.S.W., and during the day the wind continued steady 
from the southward and westward, with long swell and 
moderate sea. At 10.30 a.m. started fires. At 3.30 
p.m. took in all sail, then sounded in 2506 fathoms, lat. 
49 04' S., long. 1 47 27' W.; yellow sand, broken shells. 
At 3.55 p.m. made sail, hauled fires, and uncoupled. 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 79 

Current 0.15 knot per hour, setting east. Barometer 
at midnight 30.08, temperature 47 . 

November 23. Light to moderate breeze from 
southward to westward, with moderate following sea 
until 3 p.m., when the wind backed to the westward, re- 
maining at N.W. by W. after 6 p.m. In the afternoon 
long heavy swell from the southward. Ship rolling 20 
to windward and 23 to leeward. At 7 a.m. hauled up 
mainsail and started fires. At 10.07 A - M « shortened and 
furled sail, then sounded in 2522 fathoms, lat. 49 02' 
S., long. 145 ii 7 W.; yellow sand. At 4.35 p.m. 
shortened and furled sail and swung ship for compass 
deviations. At 5.20 p.m. made sail and hauled fires. 
Current 0.6 knot per hour, setting N. 68° E. Baro- 
meter at midnight 30.13, temperature 49. 

November 24. Stiff breeze from N.W. to W. 
with moderate sea. Occasional long swell from the 
southward. Mist and drizzling rain during the day. 
At 2.12 a.m. hauled up mainsail and started fires. At 
4.50 a.m. took in all sail, then sounded in 2584 fathoms, 
lat. 49 04' S., long. 142 55' W. In reeling in the 
wire parted, losing 764 fathoms and a cup. Upon 
examination it was found that inside the wire there 
had been a small bubble not visible from the out- 
side, which reduced the cross-section nearly one half. 
At 6.50 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. 
At 6.02 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded 
in 2613 fathoms, lat. 49 14' S., long. 140 33' W.; 
yellow sand, broken shells. At 7.35 p.m. made sail, 



80 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

uncoupled, and banked fires. Current 0.25 knot per 
hour, setting east. Barometer at midnight 29.92, tem- 
perature 50 . 

November 25. Fresh to strong breeze from N.W.. 
by W., with squalls. Moderate to high sea, with occa- 
sional heavy swell from westward. Misty and drizzling 
rain. At 9.45 a.m. shortened and furled sail, then 
sounded in 23S3 fathoms, lat. 49 21' S., long. 137 
2 7' W.; yellow sand, broken shells. At 11.40 a.m. 
made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. At 5 p.m. the 
wind veered to the westward, and at 10 p.m. was S.W., 
decreasing in force to a gentle breeze. Ship rolling 
easily but deeply, the greatest recorded roll being 30 to 
starboard and 28 to port. Current 0.6 knot per hour, 
setting S. 63 E. Barometer at midnight 29.62, tem- 
perature 46 . " Killed the first of our pigs, and have but 
two sheep remaining." 

November 26. Began with gentle to fresh breeze 
from S.W., with long swell and moderate sea from same 
direction. At 3 a.m. spread fires. At 3.50 a.m. took in 
all sail, then sounded in 2646 fathoms, lat. 49 27' S., 
long. 1 34 53' W. While reeling in the wire parted, 
losing 1446 fathoms, a specimen-cup, and a deep-sea 
thermometer which had been attached, the only one in 
the ship. Upon examination the wire was found to 
have a defect in it where it parted similar to that which 
was discovered on the 24th instant — a bubble inside the 
wire. At 4.54 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, banked fires. 
A bright sun all day. " A curious fact was observed to- 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 8 1 

Jay. We are half-way between New Zealand and 
Magellan Straits, and until this morning a large number 
of albatross have followed the ship, but now not one is 
to be seen. Two other kinds of sea-birds have taken 
their places : one resembling a large sea-gull, the other 
a small sea-gull with brown wings. A few petrel con- 
tinue with us, but the most of them have disappeared. 
Perhaps their departure is occasioned by a coming 
storm. We have remaining on board 107 tons of coal." 
At 6.30 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 
2467 fathoms, lat. 49 28' S., long. 132 28' W.; gray 
sand. At 8.10 p.m. made sail and hauled fires. In the 
afternoon the wind backed to the westward, and at 10 
p.m. to N.W. by W., increasing in force to a moderate 
gale with fresh squalls and rain. Current 0.6 knot per 
hour, setting S. 63 E. Barometer at midnight 29.62, 
temperature 48°. 

November 27. Began with cloudy, unsettled, 
threatening weather. Stiff breeze to moderate gale, 
with an occasional heavy squall from W.N. W. to W. by 
N., accompanied by drizzling rain. Long following 
and heavy sea. Ship rolling deeply ; greatest roll ob- 
served, 30 each way. At 5.50 a.m. a heavy sea carried 
away the port whaleboat. At 8.30 a.m. shortened sail 
and lay to under stormsails and double-reefed main 
top-sail. At 9.15 a.m. started fires in order to have 
steam ready in case of necessity. Barometer 29.50 at 
10 a.m., remained steady until 4 p.m., then rose quite 
rapidly. At 3 p.m. the wind veered to the southward 



82 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

of west in a heavy squall, after which it decreased in 
force somewhat. At 4 p.m. took in all sail, then 
sounded, notwithstanding the gale and rough sea, in 
2423 fathoms, lat. 49 26' S., long. 129 18' W.; gray 
sand. After sounding lay to under stormsails, with 
engines moving slowly. Had this cast been delayed an 
hour it could not have been taken. From 6 p.m. until 
midnight a gale was blowing from the S.W., with heavy 
squalls. Heavy rough sea. Barometer rising rapidly 
from 11 p.m. Vessel rolling deeply. Extreme recorded 
roll 35 to port and 33 to starboard. Current 0.75 
knot per hour, setting S. 8o° E. Barometer at mid- 
night 29.70, temperature 47 . 

November 28. The gale broke at midnight, and 
at 1 a.m. had subsided to a fresh breeze, with squalls 
from west by south. At 1. 10 a.m. made sail and put 
the ship on her course, uncoupled, and let fires die 
out. Ship rolling deeply, the greatest recorded roll 
being 36 to starboard and 32 to port, making about 
12 oscillations per minute. During the morning watch 
the wind decreased to a gentle breeze with light rain- 
squalls. Long following swell. At 11 a.m. hauled up 
lee clew of mainsail which had been set, and started fires. 
At 3.55 p.m. shortened and furled sail, and at 4.05 
began swinging ship for compass deviations, but the 
sun becoming obscured, sounded at 5.20 p.m. in 2239 
fathoms, lat. 49 25' S., long. 127 48' W.; gray and 
black sand, broken shells. At 6.20 p.m. made sail, un- 
coupled, and hauled fires. From 8 to midnight the 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 83 

wind backed to N.E. by N. in a gentle breeze, sky 
became overcast, and a drizzling rain set in. Current 
0.9 knot per hour, setting to the eastward. The baro- 
meter, which at noon had risen to 29.83, fell by mid- 
night to 29.62. Temperature 47 . 

November 29. Began with overcast weather, wind 
in moderate puffs from N.E. by N., veering to north- 
ward. Barometer falling rapidly from 29.62 to 29.45 
at 4 a.m. Swell from S.W. Moderate sea from the 
northward. 

* From 4 to 8 a.m. Weather squally, misty, and rainy, 
wind increasing to a fresh breeze. Barometer fell to 
29.25 by 8 a.m. At 5.30 double-reefed topsails, furled 
mainsail and topgallant sails, stowed jib, and set main try- 
sail. At 6.30 a.m. started fires in two boilers. Moderate 
swell from S.W. 

From 8 to meridian. Weather squally with drizzling 
rain. Stiff to strong breeze from N.N. E. At 8.30 took 
in foresail, foretopsail, and foretopmast staysail. Hoisted 
smokepipe, coupled up, and lay to. At 10.15 made 
sail and ran for an hour under steam and sail, due south, 
to see what effect it would have on the barometer, but 
as it continued falling rapidly I took in sail and lay to 
under close-reefed maintopsail and stormsails. Barom- 
eter had fallen at noon to 28.98. 

From 12 to 4 p.m. Moderate to fresh breeze from 
N.N.E., gradually shifting to N.W. by N. Made prep- 
arations for a heavy gale. Sent down topgallant yards 
and masts. Sent below the two howitzers which were 



84 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

on the topgallant forecastle ; put extra lashings on boats, 
sails, and guns ; struck below all shot and shell which 
were on deck ; rove life-lines, and made everything 
ready for battening down hatches. At 4 p.m. the ship 
was under close-reefed main topsail and stormsails. 
Wind from N.N.W., force about 6, with moderate sea. 
Had it not been for the rapidly falling barometer, there 
was nothing to indicate exceptionally stormy weather. 
Barometer at 4 p.m., 28.72. 

From 4 to 6 p.m. Rainy, squally weather. Wind in 
fresh squalls from N.W. by N. to N.W. Moderately 
rough and increasing sea from N.W. At 4.30 p.m. furled 
main topsail and started fires in another boiler, making 
three in all. At 5.30 p.m. started engines ahead slowly 
to assist in lying to. At 6 p.m. barometer had fallen 
to 28.67. 

From 6 to 8 p.m. Wind fresh and blowing a mod- 
erate gale during squalls, unsteady in direction. Hatches 
closely battened down. At 8 p.m. barometer had fallen 
to 28.63 and for a few minutes remained steady, then the 
wind came out in a fierce squall from W.S.W. with rising 
barometer. 

From 8 to midnight. Blowing a very heavy gale in 
squalls fiom W.S.W. to S.W. by W. Rough and in- 
creasing sea. At times the squalls were of hurricane 
violence, dashing the spray over the ship and keeping 
the deck flooded. It ceased raining towards the end 
of watch and stars appeared. At midnight wind from 
S.W. to S.W. by W., force 11. Very rough high sea. 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 85 

Ship rolling deeply and uneasily. Barometer 28.97, 
temperature 44 . 

November 30. Midnight to 4 a.m. Blowing a heavy 
gale from S.W. by W. to S.W. Very rough sea from 
S.W. Ship rolling and pitching heavily. At a little 
after 2 a.m. a heavy sea came over the quarter, flooding 
cabin, wardroom, and steerage. Shipped other seas 
occasionally during the watch. Force of wind in gusts 
11. Barometer at 4 a.m. 29.31. 

From 4 to 8 a.m. Partly clear, squally weather, 
blowing a gale from S.W. in squalls, moderating at 8 
a.m. Very heavy, rough, mountainous seas from S.W. 
At 8 a.m., barometer 29.36. 

From 8 to meridian. Squally weather with light 
passing rain. Moderate to strong gale from S.W., 
gradually moderating in force. Sea still heavy and 
rough. At 11.35 a.m., the wind and sea having mod- 
erated considerably, made sail to foresail, single-reefed 
fore topsail, double-reefed main topsail, and foretopmast 
staysail. Force of wind 7 to 9. Barometer at noon 
29.49. Banked fires. 

From 12 to 4 p.m. Stiff to strong breeze from S.W. 
to S.S.W., moderating towards 4 p.m. Squally, unsettled 
weather, with passing showers of rain. Rough sea with 
heavy swell. Ship rolling deeply at times. At 12.40 
shook reefs out of topsails. Barometer at 4 p.m., 29.55. 

From 4 to 6 p.m. Fresh breeze from S.S.W., de- 
creasing in force. Long heavy swell from S.S.W. 

From 6 to 8 p.m. Partly clear and pleasant. Mod- 



86 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

erate breeze from S.S.W. Although the sea was very 
rough, I decided to sound before dark in order not to 
overrun the distance, i.e., one hundred miles from the 
last cast. Hence at 7.37 p.m. shortened and furled sail, 
setting the storm-mizzen, and main trysail. At 7.50 
p.m. commenced sounding, the vessel rolling 30 to 
starboard, 25 ° to port. 

From 8 to midnight. At 9. 10 p.m. finished sound- 
ing, having found bottom in 2253 fathoms, lat. 49 37' S., 
long. 125 33' W. ; gray sand. The cast was a good one, 
notwithstanding the state of the sea. Made sail to 
single-reefed topsails, etc., put ship on her course, un- 
coupled, banked fires, and lowered smokepipe. Barom- 
eter at midnight 29.68. The gale of the 29th and 30th 
was the worst one ever experienced by any of the officers 
on board. The waves were exceedingly high, and for 
hours seemed as if they would engulf the ship. Every 
precaution, however, had been taken for the vessel's 
safety. 

December 1. Fresh to gentle breezes from the 
southward. Long swell from S.S.W. Ship rolling 18 
to starboard, 23 to port. Sent up topgallant masts and 
light yards. Being bright and clear, the day was de- 
voted to drying clothes and articles of all kinds which 
had been soaked during the gale. At 3.30 p.m. short- 
ened and furled sail, then sounded in 1964 fathoms, lat. 
49 36' S., long. 123 oo' W.; white sand. After sound- 
ing, the ship was swung for compass deviations. At 
6.15 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, and hauled fires. Cur- 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 87 

rent 0.8 knot per hour, setting N. 72 E. Barometer 
at midnight 30.01, temperature 46 . 

December 2. Light airs and calms in forenoon, 
followed by gentle breeze in afternoon from N.W. 
Long heavy swell from S.E. Pleasant weather. Cur- 
rent 0.5 knots per hour, setting N. 51 E. Barometer 
at midnight 30.12, temperature 48 . This day was also 
devoted to drying and putting things to rights. 

December 3. Light breeze from the N.W. during 
the whole day. At 9.15 a.m. hauled up mainsail and 
started fires. At 12.43 P - M - took in all sail, coupled up, 
then sounded in 1895 fathoms, lat. 49 39' S., long. 120 
54' W. Wire parted at 97 fathoms while reeling in, 
caused by a defect in the wire. At 1.45 p.m. made sail, 
uncoupled, hauled fires. Heavy sea from S.E., with 
an occasional long swell from S.W. and also from N. W., 
causing a peculiar state of the sea. No current ob- 
served. Barometer at midnight 30,14. temperature 47 . 

December 4. Light to moderate breeze during the 
day from N.W., with occasional long swell from the 
eastward. At 8 a.m. hauled up weather clew of main- 
sail and started fires. At 11.45 took in all sail, then 
sounded in 1690 fathoms, lat. 49 49' S., long. 118 38' 
W. ; hard bottom. At 12.45 p.m. made sail to studding- 
sails, uncoupled, banked fires. As there was such a 
marked decrease in depth I decided to take another 
cast before dark, and at 7.25 p.m. shortened and furled 
sail, then sounded in 1562 fathoms, lat. 49 51' S., long. 
1 1 7 36 W. ; light gray sand, broken shells. At 8.20 



88 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. The night was 
dark and rainy. No current. Barometer at midnight 
29.96, temperature 47 . 

December 5. Began with moderate and fresh 
breeze from N.W. with drizzling rain and mist. Wind 
veered to S.W. shortly after 8 a.m., bringing clearing 
weather, but backing to N.W. by W. in the latter part 
of the day. Barometer falling. At 3.45 a.m. shortened 
and furled sail, then sounded in 1583 fathoms, lat. 50 
oo' S., long. 1 1 5 50' W. ; gray sand, broken shells. At 
4.53 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, banked fires. At 5.55 
p.m. took in all sail, then sounded in 1847 fathoms, lat. 
50 05' S., long. 114° 16' W. The cup came up with 
sleeve lifted and jammed ; the specimen of bottom 
had washed out. At 7 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, 
and hauled fires. Current 0.7 knot per hour, setting 
S. 48 E. Barometer at midnight 29.78, temperature 

4 8°. 

December 6. Fresh to stiff breeze from northward 
and westward during the day, with falling barometer. 
At 340 a.m. started fires. At 6.35 a.m. took in all sail, 
then sounded in 2162 fathoms, lat. 50 15' S., long. 112 
oo' W. ; yellow sand, mud. At 7.55 a.m. made sail, un- 
coupled, and let fires die out. Irregular sea from S.W. 
to N.W. At 3.30 p.m. started fires and hauled up main- 
sail. At 6.50 p.m. took in all sail, then sounded in 1848 
fathoms, lat. 50 21' S., long. 109 32' W. ; gray and 
yellow sand, broken shells. At 7.55 p.m. made sail, un- 
coupled, and banked fires. Current 0.6 knot per hour, 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 89 

setting S. 40 E. Barometer at midnight 29.48, tem- 
perature 47 . 

December 7. Stiff to fresh breeze from W.N.W. to 
W.S.W., squally in the afternoon, wind increasing to 
moderate gale. Misty, with occasional drizzling rain. 
Moderate sea from northward and westward, with occa- 
sional heavy swell from S.W. Barometer falling all 
day. At 5.50 a.m. took in sail, then sounded in 1997 
fathoms, lat. 50 30' S., long. 107 36' W. ; yellow sand, 
broken shells. At 7.30 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, 
banked fires. At 6.15 p.m. shortened and furled sail, 
then sounded in 2197 fathoms, lat. 50 35' S., long. 105 
51' W. ; yellow sand, broken shells. After taking this 
cast the wind having increased to a moderate gale with 
increasing sea, the ship was hove to under stormsails. 
Roll of ship 2 5 to starboard and 20 to port. Current 
0.6 knot an hour, setting S. 40 E. Barometer fell 
during the 24 hours from 29.48 to 29.07, at midnight. 
Temperature 45 . 

December 8. Eying to in moderate gale with 
squalls from W.S. W. At 3 a.m. the wind backed to W. 
and until noon was irregular in force, but gradually 
moderating. Vessel rolling deeply, the greatest recorded 
roll being 34 to starboard and 24 to port. Long 
swell and rough sea from the westward. At 8 a.m. 
made sail and put vessel on her course. Stiff to fresh 
breeze blowing all day, veering to S.S.W. At 6.30 p.m. 
shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2224 fathoms, 
lat. 5Q°42 / S., long. 103 52' W. ; yellowish-brown mud, 



90 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

broken shells. At 7.45 p.m. made sail. Current 0.75 
knot per hour, setting S. 50 E. Barometer fell to 
28.94 at 8 a.m., then rose gradually, standing at midnight 
29.05. Temperature 45 . 

December 9. Blowing from fresh breeze to a gale 
in heavy squalls from S.W. Rough, heavy sea. Ship 
rolling at times 25 to starboard and 28 to port. The 
wind moderated somewhat during the day, but continued 
squally with heavy sea. Not wishing to miss a single 
cast in the line of soundings, I had fires spread and at 
2.45 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2324 
fathoms, lat. 50° 42' S., long. ioi°09 / W. ; yellow-brown 
mud, broken shells. The cast was a very good one, in spite 
of the heavy sea and consequent rolling and pitching while 
engaged in taking it. At 4.02 p.m. made sail and banked 
fires. Current 0.6 knot per hour, setting E. Barometer 
at midnight 29.37, temperature 46 . 

December 10. Stiff to fresh breeze with squalls 
from W.S.W. Moderate sea, with heavy swell at times 
from S.W. by W. At 7.20 a.m. spread fires. At 7.45 
a.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2291 
fathoms, lat. 50 43' S., long. 98 55' W. ; yellow-brown 
mud, broken shells. Sighted a square-rigged vessel 
about ten miles to the southward standing to the east- 
ward. (This, by the way, was the only vessel seen during 
the passage from New Zealand to Magellan Straits.) 
At 9.05 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. 
Wind moderated in afternoon, with drizzling rain. At 
7.23 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2383 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 9 1 

fathoms, lat. 50 44/ S., long. 97 20' W. At 8.40 p.m. 
made sail, uncoupled, and let fires die out. Current 0.6 
knot per hour, setting to the eastward. Barometer at 
midnight 29.25, temperature 46 . 

December 11. Fresh to moderate breeze from 
W.S.W., decreasing in force. Foggy and drizzling rain. 
Moderate sea and long following swell. At 7 a.m. 
started fires. At 9.53 a.m. shortened and furled sail, 
then sounded in 2540 fathoms, lat. 50 5c/ S., long. 95 
14' W. ; brown mud, shells. Ship rolling from 20 to 
23 . At 1 1. 10 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked 
fires. In the afternoon the wind increased to a stiff 
breeze with squalls; drizzling rain. At 7.20 p.m. short- 
ened and furled sail, then sounded in 271 1 fathoms, lat. 
50 54' S., long. 93 4c/ W.; brown mud. The shot 
would not detach, although many attempts were made 
by reeling in a few fathoms and then letting the wire 
run out quickly. After working nearly an hour I 
ordered the wire to be reeled in with the shot attached 
if it could be done. Many thought the reel would 
not stand the pressure, but having confidence in its 
strength I thought it worth while to make the attempt, 
particularly as the Palos reel could be used for the 
remaining casts should this one be crushed. As the 
reeling engine could not do the work unaided, the crew 
were called on to assist. By detailing four men at a 
time to work the cranks of the reel, and relieving them 
at every hundred turns, the whole 271 1 fathoms with 
shot and cup were recovered without injury to the reel. 



92 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

So far as known no shot except this has ever been reeled 
in from so great a depth. The bale of the shot had caught 
on a knot in a rope yarn which was attached to the cup. 
I think that the thick mud which had packed between 
the cup and the hollow of the sinker also prevented 
the shot from detaching. It took until 11.08 p.m. to 
reel in the wire ; then sail was made, fires haulea, and 
propeller uncoupled. Current 0.6 knot per hour, set- 
ting S. 70° E. Barometer at midnight 29. ig, tempera- 
ture 46 . 

December 12. Fresh breeze from W.S.W. to W.N.W., 
with moderate and at times rough sea from the west- 
ward. At 6.50 a.m. started fires. At 9.05 a.m. short- 
ened and furled sail, then sounded in 2677 fathoms, lat. 
50 58' S., long. 91 33' W. ; brown mud. At 10.25 
a.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked fires. At 7.20 
p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded again in 
2579 fathoms, lat. 5i°oi'S., long. 89 30' W. ; brown 
mud. At 8.44 p.m. made sail, uncoupled, and banked 
fires. Current 0.6 knot per hour, setting S. 70 E. 
Barometer at midnight 29.27, temperature 48 . 

December 13. Fresh breeze from N.W. by W. to 
N.N.W., increasing in afternoon to a strong breeze with 
squalls. Moderately rough sea. Drizzling rain and 
mist during the day. At 7.15 a.m. shortened and furled 
sail, then sounded in 2516 fathoms, lat. 5i°o7' S., long. 
87 W. ; brown mud. At 8.50 a.m. made sail, banked 
fires. At 6.40 p.m. took in all sail, then sounded in 
2477 fathoms, lat. 51 13' S., long. 84 38' W. ; brown 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 93 

mud, shells. At 8.10 p.m. made sail and banked fires. 
Ship rolling from 18 to 27 . Long swells from west- 
ward. Current 0.75 knot per hour, setting E. Barom- 
eter at midnight 29.19, temperature 48 . 

December 14. Fresh breeze with very fresh squalls 
from the N.W. and drizzling rain. Long heavy 
swell with rough sea. At 4.30 a.m. spread fires. At 
7.05 a.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 
2378 fathoms, lat. 51 18' S., long. 82 31' W. ; brown 
mud and shells, At 9.10 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, 
and banked fires. During the forenoon the sun came 
out bright, the breeze continuing strong from the north- 
ward and westward. Directly in our route and only 
seventy miles from the last cast there was recorded on 
the chart a solitary sounding which agreed very well 
with the depth found in the morning, and, as we were 
making about ten knots an hour, I decided to run past 
that position and take the next cast beyond. The day 
was spent in bending chains, preparing for port, and 
getting ready for anchoring, as we were only 270 miles 
from Magellan Straits. At 11.45 P - M - started fires. 
Current 0.6 knot an hour, setting S. 64 E. Barom- 
eter at midnight, 29.92, temperature 48 . 

December 15. Fresh, squally, but increasing breeze 
from W.N.W. Moderately heavy sea from W. to 
N.W. At 2.35 a.m. sounded in 2162 fathoms, lat. 
51° 57' S., long. 78 34' W. ; gray-brown mud, shells. 
At 4 a.m. made sail and banked fires. At 8 a.m. spread 
fires and started another boiler for steaming purposes; 



94 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

hoisted smokepipe. The wind moderated to a gentle 
breeze during the day. At 9.05 a.m. commenced steam- 
ing ahead with two boilers. At 9.50 a.m. connected on 
the third boiler. At 11.45 A - M - shortened and furled 
sail, then sounded in 2167 fathoms, lat. 52 io' S., long. 
yy° 08' W. ; gray-brown mud, shells. At 12.45 P - M - 
made sail, and continued on under steam and sail. At 
5 p.m. shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 1200 
fathoms, lat. 52 16' S., long. 76 02' W. ; gray sand. 
At 5.40 p.m. made sail and continued on our course. At 
7.15 p.m. the lookout at the masthead sighted land 
ahead and one-half point off port bow. We had been 
running under steam and sail, hoping to reach the Evan- 
gelist Islands before dark. Fortunately the weather 
was clear. The wind decreased to a gentle breeze and 
the sea became comparatively smooth. At 9 p.m., when 
Sugar Loaf, an island of the Evangelist group, bore 
about north, a cast was taken in 25 fathoms. The 
anchor was let go at once, but we had drifted into 35 
fathoms before it brought up. Veered to 90 fathoms of 
chain. My reason for anchoring in the broad Pacific, 
rather than lying to to await daylight, was because our 
exact position was known, and therefore a course could 
be laid for the entrance to the straits, and we could run 
with confidence even should the weather be thick. The 
wisdom of this course was soon proved, for during the 
night it clouded up and a rain set in with thick mist. 

December 16. At 3 a.m. we were under way, 
heading for the straits, the weather so thick we could 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 95 

not see land. At 4.15 a.m. sighted Cape Pillar off star- 
board bow, about three miles distant. Weather con- 
tinued very thick, giving us only occasional glimpses of 
land. At 5.25 a.m. the Spanish Launches bore abeam, 
and at 6 a.m. Westminster Hall was abeam. At 8 a.m. 
it cleared off, and during the remainder of the day the 
weather was clear, with a bright sun. Steamed until 
6.55 p.m., when we anchored in Fortesque Bay. It 
rained again during the night. 

December 17. Underway at 5 a.m., and reached 
Sandy Point (Punta Arenas) at 1.30 p.m., where we 
found at anchor the French man-of-war Reine Blanche, 
bearing the flag of Rear Admiral Franquet. Had re- 
maining on boaid 40^ tons of coal. Draught of ship, 
14 feet forward, 16 feet 3 inches aft. 

Of the fifty-seven casts taken in the line just com- 
pleted, forty-four were between 2 and 3^ statute miles, 
as follows : 

Between 2 and 2\ miles 10 

Between 2\ and 3 miles 21 

Between 3 and 3^ miles 13 

At Sandy Point sixteen tons of coal were taken on 
board, to insure enough for emergencies. Exchanged 
visits with the governor of the place, and on the 10th of 
December left for Montevideo, where we arrived on the 
1 st January, 1886, having swung ship and had target- 
practice en route. 



g6 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

The distance from Wellington, New Zealand, to 
Montevideo, following the course of the Enterprise, was 
6110 miles. Only 140 tons of coal were consumed in 
making this distance, as follows : 

Expended for steaming purposes 63 tons 

Expended for deep-sea soundings 36 " 

Expended for distilling water 26 " 

Expended for swinging ship for compass de- 
viations 3 " 

Expended for galley (cooking) 12 " 

Total 140 tons 



CHAPTER IV. 

HOMEWARD BOUND (CONTINUED). 

DISCOVER AN EXTENSIVE BANK. CONNECT WITH LINE OF 

SOUNDINGS TAKEN IN 1 883 BY THE ENTERPRISE ON 
OUTWARD VOYAGE, AND THUS COMPLETE THE CIRCUM- 
NAVIGATION OF THE GLOBE. BARBADOS. ST. THOMAS. 

NEW YORK. ENTERPRISE GOES OUT OF COMMISSION. 

At the beginning of the year 1886 the terms of enlist- 
ment of more than eighty of the crew had expired, and 
every week added to the number. As the law entitles 
each enlisted man to one fourth more pay while de- 
tained abroad after the expiration of his enlistment, it 
was necessary to hasten our departure, if for no other 
reason than that of economy. We therefore remained 
at Montevideo only long enough to give the crew a well- 
earned recreation on shore and to prepare the ship for 
sea. 

On the 9th of January, having laid in an extra supply 
of coal, provisions, and sinkers, the Enterprise left 
Montevideo and steamed slowly down the river. 

By noon of the 1 ith the 100-fathom curve was passed 1 , 
beyond which in the immediate vicinity there were no 
soundings noted on the chart. Here a cast was taken 



98 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

in 761 fathoms, lat. 35 06' S., long. 52 05' W., in a 
bottom of green mud. The weather during the night 
had been peculiar. Wild-looking black clouds piled 
up in the northwest, vivid lightnings flashed, and distant 
thunder rolled continually. The wind also shifted sud- 
denly from N.E. to N.W. Naturally we expected a 
tempest and made preparation accordingly, but it did not 
reach the ship, though for hours the weather maintained 
a threatening attitude. 

In order to avoid the track made by the Challenger 
some years before, the Enterprise was headed well to the 
northward towards Nelson Shoal, on which the chart 
showed 19 fathoms. At 7 p.m. we took the second cast 
for the day in 11 26 fathoms, lat. 34 49' S., long. 51 
23' W., the character of the bottom having changed to 
dark mud. 

On the 1 2th, soon after daylight, we sounded in 1633 
fathoms, lat. 34 30' S., long. 50 47' W. — dark mud ; 
and again at 3.40 p.m. in 1589 fathoms, lat. 34 04' S., 
long. 49 49' W., but no specimen of the bottom was re- 
covered, as the cup failed to close tightly. 

On the 13th, at daylight, we sounded in 1775 fathoms, 
lat. 33 45' S., long. 48 48' W. — dark mud ; and at 5 p.m. 
in 1859 fathoms, lat. 33 18' S., long. 47 53' W. — gray 
mud, broken shells; a marked change in the character of 
the bottom. The wind had now freshened to a strong 
breeze from the northward and eastward, but as I 
wished to sound on Nelson Bank, we continued under 
steam, making slow progress. 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 99 

On the morning of the 14th a cast was taken in 1976 
fathoms, lat. 32 58' S., long. 47 22' W. — dark mud ; and 
at 4.30 p.m. we sounded over Nelson Shoal,* finding 2088 
fathoms, lat. 32 $$' S., long. 46 48' W. — dark mud. 
This certainly was no shoal, and yet from our experience 
a few days later it is possible that one may exist some- 
where in the neighborhood. After taking this cast, I 
kept the fore-and-aft sails full on port tack, making 
nearly an E. by N. course, steaming as before under two 
boilers. 

On the 15th, just after daylight, we swung ship for 
compass deviations, and then sounded in 2192 fathoms, 
lat. 32 24' S., long. 45 32' W. — dark mud ; and again 
in the afternoon in 2132 fathoms, lat. 32 14' S., long. 
44 14' W. — brown mud. 

On the 1 6th sounded at 5 a.m. in 2145 fathoms, lat. 
31 57' S., long. 43 16' W. ; brown mud. From this 
point, the wind being about N.N.E., I changed course 
and ran to the eastward in order to connect with the line 
of soundings which the Enterprise made on her outward 
voyage in 1883. A good cast was taken in the after- 
noon in 2036 fathoms, lat. 31 43' S., long. 41 ° 55' W.; 
light brown mud. 

On the 17th, after daylight, sounded in 1999 fathoms, 
lat. 31 40' S., long. 40 28' W.; brown mud. The wind 
becoming more favorable, stopped steaming and put the 
ship under sail, continuing the same course. At 7 p.m. 

* The shoal has had several positions given to it, but the latitude and 
longitude of this cast represents about the average of the positions assigned. 



IOO DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

another cast was taken in 2334 fathoms, lat. 31 35' S., 
long. 39 08' W., in a bottom of brown mud. 

On the 18th, in the morning, sounded in 1949 
fathoms, lat. 31 29' S., long. 38 05' W. Character of 
bottom, sand — a great change in depth and character of 
specimen. Took another cast in the afternoon in 1469 
fathoms, lat. 31 22' S., long. 36 39' W., the cup bring- 
ing up a specimen of yellow and white sand and shells. 
Still shoaling with sandy bottom. 

On the 19th, at 5 a.m., sounded in 547 fathoms, lat. 
31 13' S,, long. 35 42' W., the character of bottom 
being the same as before, viz., yellow and white sand and 
shells. The small depth revealed by this cast was a gen- 
uine surprise, as we had no particular reason to expect a 
bank in this neighborhood, its position being about 600 
miles S.E. fS. true from Cape Frio. We now took 
casts for some time at distances of five miles, finding 
depths of 467, 471, 444, 481, 400, and 847 fathoms, 
the latter cast being taken at noon in lat. 3i°07' S., 
long. 35 03' W. As this depth was so much greater 
than the previous one, I judged we had passed over the 
shoalest part of the bank; and wishing to give the crew 
time for target-practice with small arms, we sailed slowly 
along with a light breeze and did not sound again until 
3.30 p.m., when acast was taken .in 1095 fathoms. This 
increased depth strengthened my belief that the shoalest 
part of the bank had been crossed ; but thinking it well 
to take one more cast before dark, I gave directions to 
sound at sundown, when a depth of only 378 fathoms 



HOMEWARD BOUND. IOI 

was found, lat. 3i°02' S., long. 34 27' W. This was 
again a surprise and to most of the officers and crew a 
disappointment, as they were anxious to reach the 
United States. Frequent casts were now taken in order 
to develop the shoal. Casts were taken at 7.30 p.m. in 
390 fathoms, at 8.50 in 426 fathoms, and at 10 p.m. in 
495 fathoms. General character of bottom, coarse yel- 
low and white sand and shells, with occasional black 
specks. 

On the 20th, at 1 a.m. sounded in 584 fathoms, at 
5 a.m. in 956 fathoms, and at noon in 1827 fathoms. 
The character of the bottom had changed but little ex- 
cept in the quality of the sand, which had become much 
finer. This last cast was taken in lat. 30 39' S., long. 
32 43' W. We sounded again at 5 p.m. in 21 13 
fathoms, lat. 30 32' S., long. 31 50' W.; hard bottom. 
The cup brought up no specimen. 

On the 21st sounded at 5 a.m. in 1834 fathoms, lat. 
30 21' S., long. 30 40' W., fine white sand and shells. 
Finding such a decided difference in depth with water 
shoaling, I had another cast taken at 4 p.m. in 1296 
fathoms ; fine white sand and shells. There was a 
fresh light breeze wafting us along on our course 
at the rate of seven knots an hour, and I knew that 
this frequent stopping to sound under the circum- 
stances was very trying to every one on board ; still, as 
the water was shoaling, I had another cast taken at 
10.30 p.m. in 1766 fathoms, lat. 29 54' S., long. 29 oo' 
W. We were indeed glad to find the water deepening, 



102 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

and as this cast was only 85 miles west of one of 2509 
fathoms taken by the Enterprise on her way out in 
1883, and about 100 miles S.W. of another cast of 2288 
fathoms, we could properly consider the line between 
Montevideo and Cape Town, or across the South 
Atlantic, completed. On the 22d, at 2 p.m., we 
sounded in 2539 fathoms, lat. 28 52' S., long. 28 1 i' W.; 
brown mud and shells. While taking this cast a re- 
markably strong undercurrent was found setting to the 
westward. It was very decided in character and I 
deeply regretted that there were no deep-sea thermom- 
eters on board with which to determine its temperature. 
A course was now shaped to cut our former line half-way 
between two of the soundings therein. 

On the 23d, at 10 a.m., we crossed the track of the 
Enterprise on her outward voyage, thus completing the 
circumnavigation of the globe. Sail was immediately 
shortened and furled, and a cast taken in 2851 fathoms, 
lat. 2 7 54' S., long. 27 32' W.; dark brown mud — the 
position being just midway between former casts of 
3147 fathoms, lat. 26 56' S., long. 27°44' 40" W., and 
2288 fathoms, lat. 28 49' 47" S., long. 27 31' 27" W., 
and about 60 miles from each. The depth agreed ex- 
cellently well with what we might expect. The same 
strong westerly undercurrent previously mentioned 
was again noticed. We swung ship for compass devia- 
tions in the afternoon about 200 miles north of where 
we swung on the outward voyage. The wind becoming 
very light, at sundown the vessel was put under steam. 






HOMEWARD BOUND. 103 

On the morning of the 24th, a light breeze from the west- 
ward having sprung up, fires were hauled and sail made. 

On the 25th sounded in 3002 fathoms, lat. 24 14' S., 
long. 27 20' W.; dark brown mud. This cast was about 
60 miles from one of 2994 fathoms taken on the way 
out and about 90 miles from another of 3020 fathoms, 
showing a remarkably level floor. The breeze died out 
during the night, and there was a calm during the whole 
of the following day. 

On the night of the 26th steam was raised, and on 
the 27th two casts were taken : one in 2995 fathoms, lat. 
22 56' S., long. 27 22' W. ; and the other in 2865 
fathoms, lat. 21 43' S., long. 27 19' W. 

At 9.30 a.m. of the 28th sounded in 2727 fathoms, lat. 
2<D°24' S., long. 2 7°4o' W. — stiff brown mud, after which, a 
light breeze having sprung up, fires were hauled, and sail 
made to royals. Scarcely had this been done when the 
breeze died out completelv, and for twenty hours I 
think there was the deadest calm I ever experienced. 

On the 29th we still had 3000 miles to make to reach 
Barbados, with only 58 tons of coal in the bunkers. 
I had steam raised again In the afternoon, hoping that a 
short run would bring us into the trades. The night of 
the 29th was perfect for steaming. The sea was glassy, 
the sky cloudless ; Venus shone with remarkable brill- 
iancy, and as the vessel steamed through the water 
causing small undulations to spread over its surface, I 
counted eight distinct reflections of this star at the same 
instant. 



104 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

For several days light breezes and variable airs from 
N.E. to N. wafted us on our course, although we were 
well within the belt of the S.E. trades. 

Casts were taken daily, sails being clewed up, with 
topsail yards mastheaded. When the wire had been 
reeled in to 2000 fathoms topsails were sheeted home, 
care being taken to keep the speed of the ship down to 
four knots ; when the cup was within 1000 fathoms of 
the surface all sail was made. Steam was raised as usual 
for each cast. 

On February 3d we were 200 miles to the eastward 
of the outward-bound track, but from this time on light 
breezes headed us off, so that on the 7th of February 
our track was again crossed, when a cast was immediately 
taken in 2878 fathoms (between two of our former 
casts) in lat. 8° 26 S., long. 31 31' W.; yellow-brown 
mud. 

Our course took us about 140 miles to the eastward 
of Pernambuco and Cape St. Roque and about 20 miles 
to the eastward of "The Rocas." 

The breeze continued very light, the ship sometimes 
not making more than half a knot an hour ; still, as the 
current was favorable and the vessel had steerage way, I 
did not care to use steam except for sounding. 

On the 1 2th our last cast was taken in the South 
Atlantic, and during the night the equator was crossed. 

On the 13th we were in the doldrums, experiencing 
rainy squally weather, with little or no wind. 

We got up steam at 2 a.m., and on the 14th started 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 105 

ahead and were soon in clear weather, so that we were 
able to swing ship in the morning for compass deviations. 
At 1 a.m. the N.E. trades set in as we supposed, 
when the engines were stopped and sail made, but a dead 
calm soon followed and at night there was a deluge of 
rain. 

On the 15th a light breeze again sprung up from the 
N.E., accompanied by rain-squalls which were particu- 
larly heavy at night. We did not neglect, however, to 
take a cast each day. Rainy disagreeable weather 
continued until the 20th when the wind freshened to a 
stiff breeze. At noon on the 2 2d a salute of twenty-one 
guns was fired in honor of the day. This is a day of rest 
on shore, but at sea the sailor has no holiday ; he makes 
and shortens sail or shovels coal into furnaces, as occa- 
sion may require. 

We were running a line where few soundings had 
ever before been taken, and it would not do to neglect 
our opportunities. Two casts were therefore taken this 
day, one in 2593 fathoms, the other in 2728 fathoms. 

On the 23d two more casts were taken, in 2997 and 
2714 fathoms ; on the 24th, in 2673 and 2560 fath- 
oms ; and on the 25th, in 2425 and 2421 fathoms. 

The character of the bottom in each case was ooze. 

On the 26th we were so near Barbados that I added 
steam to sail to insure reaching the anchorage by night. 
At 2 p.m. we sighted land ahead. At 6 p.m. we took 
the last cast in this line in 1204 fathoms, lat. 12 $&' 
N., long. 58 14' W. ; ooze, sand, and shells. At 7 P.M. 



106 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

anchored off Bridgetown, having about five tons of coal 
remaining in the bunkers. 

We had steamed and sailed from Montevideo 5031 
miles and had taken 72 casts, of which 49 were between 
2 and 3! miles in depth. Of these 14 were between 2 
and 2\ statute miles in depth, 16 between 2\ and 3 
miles, and 19 between 3 and 3^ miles in depth. 

On the following morning, the 27th, the Enterprise 
steamed into the inner harbor, saluted the port with 
twenty-one guns, and also the broad pennant of Com- 
modore FitzRoy, commander-in-chief of the British 
flying squadron, consisting of the Active (flag-ship), 
Calypso, Volage, and Rover. H. M. S. Bellerophon, 
Captain Fitzgerald, was also in port. I was delighted 
to find in command of the Volage my old acquaintance 
Captain Johnstone, whom I last met in command of 
H. M. S. Dryad at Tamatave, Madagascar, in 1883. 

As soon as possible the ship was coaled, and on the 
2d of March we were under way for St. Thomas, where 
we arrived on the night of the 4th. We sailed on the 
following day for the United States, after having taken 
on board a few tons of coal. 

On the 6th of March, when in lat. 19 53' N., long, 
65 45' W., we sounded in 4529 fathoms, a depth of 
more than five statute miles, bringing up a good speci- 
men of bottom, consisting of brown ooze. We began 
this cast at 5.55 a.m., reached bottom at 7, and finished 
at 8.25 a.m. This cast was forty-two miles from the 
position of the deepest cast ever taken in the Atlantic, 



HOMEWARD BOUND. IO7 

and only 32 fathoms less than that in depth. The cast 
referred to being taken by Lieutenant-Commander W. 
H. Brownson, U. S. N., when in command of the Coast 
Survey Steamer Blake. In the afternoon we sounded 
again in 2990 fathoms, lat. 21 00' N., long. 66° 14/ W. ; 
brown mud. 

On the 7th we sounded at 5.30 a.m. in 3079 fathoms, 
lat. 22 06' N., long. 66° 44/ W. — light brown mud; and 
again at 5.30 p.m. in 3101 fathoms, lat. 23 07' N., long. 
67 08' W., finding the same kind of bottom. 

On the 8th, at 5.30 a.m., a oast was taken in 3133. 
fathoms, lat. 24 23' N., long. 67 58' W. — light brown 
mud ; and in the afternoon in 3006 fathoms, lat. 
25 22' N., long. 68° 41' W., in the same bottom, light 
brown mud. 

On the 9th, at 5.30 a.m., sounded in 2880 fathoms. 
In reeling in the wire parted, losing 1400 fathoms and 
a specimen-cup. Again in the afternoon we sounded 
in 3004 fathoms, lat. 27 36' N., long. 70 14' W.; 
brown mud. 

On the 10th there was a stiff breeze with squalls and 
falling barometer, giving evidence of a coming gale. 
Sail was therefore furled and our last cast taken in 2956 
fathoms, lat. 29 36' N., long. 71 ° 33' W., the character 
of the bottom being brown mud as before. There was 
general rejoicing when this last sinker was expended. 
By the time the cast was finished the gale had freshened 
causing a rough sea. We therefore lay to until daylight 
of the morning of the 12th, when the vessel proceeded 



108 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 

on her course under steam. On the 13th bad weather 
was again encountered, and once more the ship was 
hove to under stormsails. During the afternoon of 
the 14th, the wind having rapidly decreased in force, 
we continued on our course. 

On the night of the 16th, while steaming in a dense 
fog off the capes of the Chesapeake, a large steamer sud- 
denly appeared close aboard, apparently running at full 
speed and without blowing her whistle, although our 
own was being sounded according to regulations. Our 
engines were backed as soon as the steamer was seen 
off our starboard bow, which enabled her to clear us by 
about a ship's length. This incident is mentioned as an 
example of reckless running in fogs on the part of some 
of the ocean greyhounds. 

On the 17th we reached the anchorage in New 
York harbor, and on the 24th, after discharging our 
ammunition at Ellis Island, we proceeded to the New 
York Navy Yard. 

On the 31st of March, 1886, the Enterprise was put 
out of commission. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



IO9 



In the following pages is given a tabular summary 
of the casts taken throughout the cruise. An expla- 
nation of the symbols employed is appended for the 
information of those not familiar with them. 



SYMBOLS FOR STATE OF SEA. 



B — Broken or irregular sea. 

C — Chopping, short or cross sea. 

G — Ground swell. 

H — Heavy sea. 

L — Long rolling sea. 



M — Moderate sea or swell. 
R — Rough sea. 
S — Smooth Sea. 
T — Tide-rips. 



ABBREVIATIONS OF BOTTOMS 



M. 


for Mud. 


bk. 


for black. 


hrd. 


for hard. 


S. 


" Sand. 


wh. 


'• white. 


sft. 


" soft. 


G. 


" Gravel. 


yi. 


" yellow. 


fne. 


" fine. 


Sh. 


" Shells. 


gy- 


" gray. 


crs 


' ' coarse. 


P. 


" Pebbles. 


bu. 


" blue. 


brk. 


' broken, 


Sp. 


" Specks. 


dk. 


" dark. 


stk. 


" sticky. 


c. 


" Clay. 


gn. 


" green. 


rky. 


" rocky. 


St. 


" Stones. 


br. 


" brown. 






R. 


" Rock. 


rd. 


" red. 






Co. 


' ' Coral. 


1 








La. 


' ' Lava. 











WEATHER SYMBOLS. 



b — Clear blue sky. 

c — Cloudy weather. 

d — Drizzling or light rain. 

f- — Fog or foggy weather. 

^-—Gloomy or dark, stormy-looking 

weather. 
A— Hail. 
/ — Lightning. 
m — Misty weather. 
o — Overcast. 
p — Passing showers of rain. 



q — Squally weather. 

r — Rainy weather or continuous rain. 

j — Snow, snowy weather, or snow fall- 
ing. 

t — Thunder. 

u — Ugly appearances or threatening- 
weather. 

v — Visibility of distant objects. 

w — Wet or heavy dew. 

z — Hazy. 



no 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 
Between the United States and Porta Praya — via Porto Grande, 



1) 


Date. 


Position. 


■3 

Q 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


rt g 


Lat. 


Long. 


6 a 

V O 


u 

u 

u 




I 


1883. 
Jan. 16 


/ // 
35 35 00 N. 


48 22 OO W. 


2854 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


N.E. 


2 


2 


Jan. 19 


31 1247 


42 34 48 


2166 


gy. ooze, S., minute 
shells 


S.W. by W. 


4-5 


3 


Jan. 27 


27 37 57 


33 56 45 


2698 


gy. ooze, S. , minute 
shells 


S.E. by E. 


3 


4 


Jan. 28 


26 47 00 


31 58 00 


3093 


rd. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. 


2 


5 


Feb. 8 


16 35 00 


24 52 00 


1471 


rd. S., Sh. 


E. by N. 


6 


6 


Feb. 9 


14 57 00 


23 51 00 


1061 


no specimen 


E. by N. 


3-4 



Between Porta Praya, Cape De Verde 



7 


Feb. 


11 


12 10 00 N. 


23 45 18 W. 


2742 


no specimen 


N.E. 


4 


8 


Feb. 


12 


9 28 00 


24 08 24 


2668 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


N.E. by E. 


4 


9 


Feb. 


13 


7 16 22 


24 23 59 


2509 


gy. ooze, S. , Sh. 


E.N.E. 


3 


10 


Feb. 


M 


5 2725 


24 33 18 


2307 


no specimen 


E.N.E. 


2 


11 
12 
13 
14 


Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 


15 
16 

17 

iS 


3 29 47 
55 25 

06 08 S. 

1 33 00 


24 46 34 

25 04 38 

26 35 27 

27 43 45 


2339 
2213 
1919 
2627 


dk. gy. ooze, S., Sh. 
gy. ooze, S., Sh. 
gy. ooze, S., Sh. 
no specimen 


N.E. 
S. by E. 
S.S.E. 
S. by E. 


2 

2 
2-3 
2-3 


15 


Feb. 


20 


4 06 00 


29 04 22 


2803 


br. m., Sh. 


S.E. 


2 


16 


Feb. 


21 


5 28 00 


30 14 22 


2801 


no specimen 


S.E. by S. 


3 


17 


Feb. 


24 


10 25 00 


32 19 36 


2S98 


br. ooze 


S.E. by S. 


4 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



Ill 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
Cape De Verde Islands. Casts taken by Lieut. G. A. Norris, U.S.N. 



State 

of 

Weather. 


State 

of 
Sea. 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 




<3 




c n 

5 
■Si 


a 





03 


Paying 
Out. 


Reeling 
In. 


Remarks. 


b. c. 

p. c. q. 
b. c. 

b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 


S. 

R. 
S. 

S. 

M. 

S. 


65 

6S 

72 

73 
7i 
70 


66 

69 

71 

72 
7i 
71 


36 

36i 
36 

36 
37 
39 


h. m. s. 
O 49 12 

39 05 

31 45 

1 32 30 
16 50 
10 00 


h. m. s. 
4 OO 00 

40 55 
i 57 00 

49 00 

20 00 

wire 
broke 


Wire jumped off when sounding. Con- 
necting hook of belt broke several 
times. Manila belt tried, but it 
stretched too much. Repaired leather 
belt by discarding hook and serving 
ends together — worked well. 

Ship got stern to wind — backing engines. 
In reeling in the flange opposite the 
V-groove carried away about 18 inches. 

In reeling in the belt parted. Made a 
new one. Detained about one half- 
hour by this accident. 

Some of the splices showed signs of giv- 
ing out. 

Apparently an undercurrent setting to 
the southward and westward. 

The attendant guiding the wire care- 
lessly let the wire catch under the belt ; 
wire parted, losing cup, thermometer, 
and 703 fathoms wire. 



Islands, and Cape Town, South Africa. 



b. c. 



b. c. z. 
b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

0. c. 
b. c. 

b. c. 



M. 


74 


72 




I II 30 


M. 


75 


77 




34 45 


M. 


77 


79 




O 29 32 


S. 


Si 


Si 




O 29 04 


s. 
s. 
s. 
s. 


82 
Si 
So 
So 


Si 

S2 

79 
79 




O2435 
O 25 14 
O 21 05 
O 32 OO 


s. 


Si 


So 




32 55 


s. 


S2 


So 




33 00 


s. 


S2 


S2 




39 39 



o 40 30 



034 50 

o 30 15 



wire 
broke 
o 33 00 
o 2905 
o 22 40 
wire 
broke 



o 42 50 
wire 
broke 



Wire broke when 450 fathoms had been 
paid out, losing thermometer, cup, 
and 50 fathoms wire. Caused by kink 
which had been turned in while reelinsr 
up new wire yesterday, and which had 
escaped notice. Bent on new grommrt 
and distant line and took the cast. In 
reeling in ihe composition part of the 
specimen-cup became unscrewed and 
was lost. 

The flexible steam-pipe showed signs of 
weakness ; covered it with canvas and 
served it over. 

The specimen was gray ooze, composed 
of minute shells of different colors and 
shapes — evidently alive. Looks like a 
mess of fish-spawn with a peculiar smell 
like clams. Different from anything 
before brought up. 

Wire broke at a splice. The flexible steam- 
pipe burst and another was htted. 

This specimen entirely different from the 
last. 



Wire broken when a few turns were taken. 
Lost 2600 fathoms wire and specimen- 
cup. 

Evidently strong current. Ship kept over 
wire with difficulty. 

In reeling in the belt parted, causing the 
wire to jump off the reel. Parted, los- 
ing 2687 fathoms and specimen-cup 
O 44 40;Tried a new belt of rattling stuff which 
worked well. Specimen-cup was made 
on board out of materials found in the 
ship. 



112 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 

Between Porta Praya, Cape De Verde 





Date. 


Position. 


_I5 J3 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


— .0 

.2 E 






, - 





$1 




Lat. 


Long. 


2561 
2492 




V 

5 


u 



fa 


18 
19 


18S3 
Feb. 26 
Feb. 27 


1 it 

14 27 40 

15 27 30 


33 46 45 W. 
33 57 19 


br. ooze, Sh. 
yl. br. ooze 


S.E. byS. 
East 


2-3. 
3. 


20 


Feb. 28 


16 30 OO 


33 46 00 


2498 


yl. br. ooze 


East 


J 


21 
22 

23 


Mar. 1 
Mar. 2 
Mar. 3 


17 42 IO 

19 06 27 

20 II 43 


33 26 26 
32 40 00 
31 54 18 


2498 

2319 
2475 


yl. br. ooze 

br. M. 

yl. br. M., stk. 


E. by N. 

East 

N.E. byE. 


2 

3 


24 
25 


Mar 5 
Mar. 6 


22 24 53 

23 46 20 


29 54 27 
28 54 20 


2892 
3020 


br. ooze 
yl. br. ooze 


E.N.E. 
E.N.E. 


4. 

3. 


26 


Mar. 7 


24 54 00 


28 18 16 


2999 


dk. br. M., stk. 


E. by S. 


3 


27 

28 


Mar. 8 
Mar. 9 


25 53 18 

26 56 08 


28 09 39 
27 44 40 


2908 

3147 


dk. br. M., stk. 
dk. br. M., stk. 


E. by S. 
East 


1 
3 


29 
30 


Mar. 10 
Mar. ri 


28 49 47 

29 52 57 


27 30 27 
27 23 04 


2288 
2509 


hard bottom 
It. br. M., Sh. 


E.S.E. 
E. by S. 


3-4 


31 


Mar. 12 


30 22 18 


26 12 54 


2537 


yl. hard M., dk. Sp. 


N.E. byE. 


1-2 


32 

33 
34 
35 


Mar. 13 
Mar. 14 
Mar. 14 
Mar. 15 


30 42 16 

31 01 36 
31 08 28 
31 23 40 


24 24 26 
22 46 15 
21 57 30 
19 43 16 


2530 
25 1 1 
2372 
2351 


hrd. It. br. M., Sh. 
hrd. It. br. M., Sh. 

It. br. M. 
It. br. M. 


N. by W. 

North 
N. by E. 

North 


4 

4 

4-5 
5-6 


36 


Mar. 18 


30 35 02 


12 49 03 


1700 


It. br. M. 


S.E. by S. 


3 


37 


Mar. 19 


31 12 16 


12 38 53 


1364 


bk. M., scoria 


E. by S. 


3-4 


38 
39 
40 


Mar. 19 
Mar. 20 
Mar. 20 


31 15 16 
3i 38 42 
3i 37 29 


12 19 32 
12 05 28 
11 29 22 


1507 
1864 
1919 


hrd. bk. M. 
vvh. ooze, Sh. 
hard bottom 


East 
E. bv N. 
E.N.E. 


3-4 
2 

3 


41 
42 
43 


Mar. 21 
Mar. 22 
Mar. 22 


31 57 20 

32 03 48 
32 11 31 


9 43 26 
7 09 22 
603 58 


2050 
2314 
2308 


hard bottom 
hard bottom 
wh. ooze, s., sh. 


N.W. 
S.E. by S. 
S.E. by E. 


4 
3 
2 


44 
45 


Mar. 23 
Mar. 23 


32 19 00 
32 26 00 S. 


4 23 34 
3 23 32 


2008 

2353 


hrd. wh. S. 
vvh. S. and Sh. 


S.S.E. 
S. by W. 


2 
3 


46 
47 


Mar. 24 
Mar. 2_| 


32 24 00 
32 30 00 


1 32 52 
27 46 


2343 
1255 


vvh. S. and Sh. 
vvh. S. 


S. by W 
S.E. by E. 


4 
3 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



113 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 

Islands, and Cape Town, South Africa. 







State 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 




Staie 














at 


of 




U 


a 


Paying 
Out. 




Remarks. 


Weather. 


Sea. 


u! 


a 






Reeling 
In. 










< 


CO 


Da 






















h. m. s. 


h. m. s. 




b. 


c. 


S. 


79 


32 




O 31 05 


39 35 




b. 


c. 


S. 


79 


Si 




02945 


04245 


Sails clewed up but not furled. Ship f el T. 
off and got before the wind. Backed 
engines to keep over the wire. SmaU 
specimen recovered, as the cup at- 
tached to the rod became unscrewed' 
while being reeled in. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


80 


82 




029 38 


47 45 


The "reeling in" engine gave some 
trouble. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


79 


Si 




O 29 07 


44 25 


Small specimen recovered. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


80 


S2 




O 23 50 


O 31 40 




b. 


c. 


S. 


32 


32 




O 26 05 


32 OO 


The specimen-cup came up with sleeve 
up. Specimen small. As the cup was 
a new one and had not been thoroughly 
cleaned, a few iron filings were found 
mixed with specimen. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


80 


82 




O 32 44 


048 35 




b. 


c. 


s. 


80 


81 




O 36 24 


57 00 


Old belt slipped considerably, as it was 
saturated with oil. Cup made by Black- 
smith Knight — improvement. 


b. 


c. 


s. 


81 


81 




O 32 05 


49 00 


Tried a new bell of 21-thread stuffs 
Worked well. 


b. c. 


p. q. 


s. 


81 


81 




33 33 


44 10 




b. 


c. 


s. 


80 


81 




33 45 


043 15 


The reel shows signs of distress for the- 
first time since the flange was repaired. 
The after part of the face has com- 
menced to cave in. 


b. 


c. 


M. 


73 


79 




25 00 


27 04 


Shot did not detach until a second trial. 


b. 


c. 


M. 


79 


79 




26 24 


38 24 


Drum of reel continues to show signs of 


b. 


c. 


S. 


32 


81 




27 22 


36 38 


caving in. 
The only specimen was a piece of half- 
formed rock, yellowish inside and black 
outside. Dark specks on bottom of cup. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


79 


So 




26 33 


34 27 




P- 


q. c. 


M. 


77 


79 




28 58 


37 01 




b. 


c. 


M. 


7S 


73 




24 17 


26 37 




b. c. 


p. q. 


R. 


74 


79 




26 04 


02945 


Rolling deeply at times. No specimen 
except that brought up on the arming. 


0. 


c. 


L. 


69 


75 




21 39 


22 14 


Rolling deeply at times. No specimen 
brought up except on arming. 


b. 


c. 


M. 


70 


75 




15 27 


14 17 


Very small specimen. Particles of scoria 
on end of cup, and black mud. 


b. 


c. 


L. 


71 


76 




16 32 


16 55 


Very hard bottom. Very small specimen 


b. 


c. 


S. 


72 


75 




19 39 


21 49 


The reel is continually weakening. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


74 


75 




20 08 


23 51 


This cast is right over "Grant's Break- 


b. 


c. 


S. 


74 


74 




20 38 


25 00 


ers. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


6S 


7i 




26 31 


27 08 




0. 


c. 


S. 


70 


72 




23 53 


31 40 


A new cup made by Ch. Engr. McEwan,, 
particularly adapted for hard bottom.. 
Modified Belknap No. 2. 


















b. 


c. 


S. 


70 


7i 




18 52 


26 05 


Reel continues to weaken. 


b. 


c. 


S. 


69 


71 




24 17 


39 00 


The specimen-cup was new, and some of 
















the iron filings got mixed with the 


















specimen. On one of the splices flesh 


















and skin of a fish adhered. 


b. 


c. 


M. 


69 


70 




25 00 


26 20 




b. 


c. 


S. 


67 


70 




11 33 


13 05 





114 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 

Between Porta Praya, Cape De Verde 



l> 


Date. 


Position. 


.si 

J3fi 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


n 








u 






Lat. 


Long. 








a> 




















p 


fc 




1883. 


/ // 


1 11 












48 


Mar. 24 


32 33 20 s. 


00 20 E. 


979 


vvh. S. 




S.E. by S. 


3 


49 


Mar. 25 


32 41 54 


41 04 


2492 


It. br. ooze 




S.E. by E. 


3 


50 


Mar. 25 


32 48 25 


1 47 34 


731 


wh. Co., S. 


and Sh. 


E. by N. 


2 


5i 


Mar. 25 


32 49 25 


1 59 28 


1203 


wh. Co., S. 


and Sh. 


N.E. 


2 


52 


Mar. 25 


32 50 54 


2 19 09 


1724 


vvh. Co., S. 


and Sh. 


N.E. 


2 


53 


Mar. 26 


33 14 45 


4 29 18 


2765 


br. ooze 




N. by E. 


3 


54 


Mar. 26 


33 24 33 


5 52 57 


2938 


br. ooze 




N.N.E. 


4 


35 


Mar. 27 


33 48 46 


8 29 02 


2855 


br. ooze 




North 


3 


56 


Mar. 27 


33 56 39 


9 52 24 


2773 


br. ooze 




North 


3 


57 


Mar. 28 


34 00 00 


12 17 38 


2596 


br. ooze 




N.N.E. 


1 


58 


Mar. 29 


34 04 00 


15 49 XI 


2231 


It. br. ooze 




S. by E. 


5-7 


59 


Mar. 31 


34 10 00 


18 11 00 


no 


S. with bk. 


Sp. 


N.E. 


4 



Mozambique Channel and 



60 


June 1 


29 46 00 S. 


31 58 48 E. 


824 


bu. M., S. and Sh. 


N.N.E. 


1 


-,61 


June 2 


29 44 30 


33 26 00 


1.325 


It. br. M.,S. and Sh. 


N. by E. 


6 


62 


June 3 


29 51 10 


35 46 45 


1107 


gy. S. and Sh. 


E. by N. 


1 


'■■■63 


June 4 


28 52 25 


38 17 30 


2607 


no specimen 


'S.W. by S. 


4 


"64 


June 6 


24 49 47 


42 52 45 


1985 


It. br. ooze 


West 


4-5 


•65 


June 7 


23 51 10 


43 31 42 


935 


It. br. ooze 


W.S.W. 


3 


•■66 


fune 8 


23 33 42 


43 40 45 


337 


dk. br. M. 


N.E. 


3 


'67 


June -8 


23 32 42 


43 41 06 


520 


dk. br. M. 


W.S.W. 


3 


> 68 


June 8 


■23 32 36 


43 42 12 


339 


dk. br. M. 


W.S.W. 


2 


• 6q 


June 15 


23 20 15 


43 35 00 


569 


br. M. 


W. by S. 


2 


770 


[une 16 


22 07 00 


42 59 30 


587 


yl. br. M. and S. 


S.S.E. 


4 


77 1 


[une 17 


20 22 30 


43 45 30 


872 


yl. br. M. and S. 


N.E. 


1 


774 


June 24 


15 32 00 


44 10 45 


1445 


It. br. M. 


S.W. 





773 


July 25 


6 ii5 00 


40 21 09 


876 


gy. ooze 


S.E. by S. 


3 


•74 


July 25 


6<og 31 


41 14 00 


1352 


gy. ooze 


S.S.E. 


3 


75 


July 26 


5.-3000 


42 08 30 


1 791 


gy. ooze, S. 


S.E. by S. 


4 


76 


July 26 


5 am .13 


42 41 15 


2007 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. by S. 


3-4 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



115 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
Islands, and Cape Town, South Africa. 



State 

of 

Weather. 


State 

of 
Sea. 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 




< 


V 

X 

3 
t/2 


a 




03 


Paying- 
Out. 


Reeling 
In. 


Remarks. 


b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 
0. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. 

b. c. d. q. 

foggy 


S. 
S. 
S. 
S. 
S. 
S. 
S. 

L. 
L. 
L. 

R. 

S. 


65 
65 
67 
67 
67 
6S 
68 

67 

6S 
69 

66 

57 


70 

70 
70 
70 

70 

69 
69 

67 
67 
69 

07 




h. m. s 
08 OO 
025 15 
005 40 
OO9 39 
16 OO 

31 30 
32 08 

034 50 

32 10 

28 28 

27 05 


h. m. s. 
OOS 55 
O 31 40 
O 06 25 
O II 30 
O 18 20 
O 38 03 
39 IO 

O 35 10 
032 35 
33 27 

35 00 


Good specimen. 

Remarkable decrease in depth. 

The reel is in a very bad condition. 

The grommet on end of wire brought up 
two worms, one 26 inches long and one 
igi inches. They were alive, and ex- 
cept their heads they looked like earth- 
worms. 

Very small specimen. 

Brought up a good specimen. 

Long swell from the westward. Blowing 
very fresh, with rough sea. 

In reeling in the wire caught on the bot- 
tom of ship and took off a small piece 
of copper, but did not break. 



Coast of Madagascar. 



b. c. 


S. 


72 


73 




07 OO 


10 40 


Since last cast a new reel has been made 
by Ch. Eng. McEwan, which works 
well, and the position of sounding ap- 
paratus changed from starboard gang- 


b. q. 


S. 












way to starboard end of bridge. 


74 


73 




15 39 


O 16 30 




b. c. 


S. 


74 


74 




1045 


13 IO 




b. c. 


S. 


7,2 


74 




33 32 


wire 
broke 


Shot would not detach. After working at 
it a half-hour tried to reel in by hand, 
but the wire parted after reeling in 
about 200 turns. Lost 2377 fathoms of 


b. c. 


M. 


74 


74 




25 08 


27 35 


wire. 


b. c. 


S. 


72 


76 




09 07 


10 15 




b. c. 


S. 












In San Augustine Bay. 


b. c. 


S. 












11 .4 (I l( 


b. c. 


S. 












It I. « «l 


b. 


S. 


75 


74 




05 08 


005 40 


> 


b. c. 


M. 


7i 


76 




004 52 


05 12 




b. c. 


S. 


7S 


77 




11 32 


12 28 




b. c. 


S. 


77 


79 








Took this cast without steam. 


b. c. 


s. 


76 


78 




06 24 


12 00 




b. c. 


s. 


77 


78 


36 


13 43 


13 15 


Thermometer remained on bottoms m ' n - 
20 sec. 


b. c. 


M. 


7» 


78 


34-5 


20 08 


18 05 


Sails clewed up. Commenced to make 
sail with 1200 fathoms out. Thermom- 
eter on bottom 3 min. 17 sec. 


b. c. 


S. 


77 


78 


34 


O 21 25 


25 OO 


Sails clewed up but not furled. Time on 
bottom 6 min. 40 sec. 



IK 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 

Mozambique Channel and 



u 


Date. 


Position. 


■H 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


.2 a 








V 


<S>'Z< 




Lat. 


Long, 


Q 
2227 




V 


- 


1883 
77|July 27 


1 11 
428 33 S. 


43 41 15 E. 


It. br. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. by S. 


4 


78 July 27 


4 00 56 


44 23 00 


2342 


br. M., stk. 


S.S.E. 


3 


79 


July 28 


3 43 49 


45 11 15 


2472 


bu. M. 


S.S.E. 


3 


80 
81 
82 


July 29 
July 30 
July 31 


3 38 13 
301 33 
3 02 22 


46 53 15 
48 20 15 
50 44 06 


2582 
2626 
2713 


br. M. 
bu. br. M. 
no specimen 


S. by E. 

S.E. 
S. by E. 


2-3 

3 
4-5 


83 
84 


July 31 
Aug. 1 


3 20 37 
3 43o6 


5145 47 
53 11 5i 


2682 
2199 


dk. br. M. 

gy. ooze, S. and Sh. 


S.E. by E. 

S.S.E. 


3-4 
4 



Seychelle Islands to 



85 


Aug. 5 


4 23 46 S. 


56 18 00 E. 


682 


gy. ooze, S. and Sh. 


S. by E. 


4 


86 


Aug. 6 


4 03 26 


57 55 30 


2160 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S. by E. 


4-5 


87 


Aug. 7 


3 0849 


60 08 15 


2006 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.S.E. 


4 


88 


Aug. 7 


258 54 


60 57 03 


2302 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. by S. 


4 


89 


Aug. 8 


2 35 17 


61 40 15 


2495 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. 


2 


90 


Aug. 9 


2 0447 


62 15 35 


2501 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S. by E. 


1-2 


9 1 


Aug. 10 


1 33 5i 


63 n 30 


2364 


It. br. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. bv E. 


3 


92 


Aug. n 


1 11 49 


64 20 09 


2559 


br. ooze 


S. 


O-I 


93 


Aug. 12 


043 10 


66 05 42 


2212 


It. br. ooze 


S. by E. 


1 


94 


Aug. 13 


13 59 


67 40 33 


1812 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


West 


4-5 


95 


Aug. 14 


01 04 


68 55 16 


2019 


gy. ooze, S. , Sh. 


N.W. 


5-6 


96 


Aug. 14 


009 35 N. 


69 41 06 


2322 


It. br. ooze 


W.N.W. 


4-5 


97 


Aug. 15 


14 20 


70 44 45 


2305 


gy. ooze, S. and Sh. 


West 


3-4 


98 


Aug. 16 


04 29 


72 30 42 


1977 


gy. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. 


3 


99 


Aug. 16 


003 52 


73 00 00 


1243 


dk. gy., S., and Sh. 


S.E. 


2 


100 


Aug. 16 


03 52 


73 17 18 


1027 


gy. s. 


S. 


1 


IOI 


Aug. 16 


003 52 


73 44 3° 


1329 


gy- s. 


s.w. 


O-I 


102 


Aug. 17 


21 49 


74 46 30 


2217 


no specimen 


W. by S. 


2 


103 


Aug. 18 


26 52 


76 34 45 


2472 


br. m., Sh. 


W.N.W. 


3 


104 


Aug. 19 


18 28 


78 33 48 


257S 


dk. br. M. 


W.S.W. 


3-5 


105 


Aug. 20 


12 09 


80 29 55 


2609 


dk. br. M. 


S.W. 


3-4 


106 


Aug. 21 


14 07 


S2 36 27 


2472 


dk. br. M. 


W.S.W. 


2-3 


107 


Aug. 21 


18 19 


S3 25 30 


2436 


br. M. 


W. by S. 


3 


108 


Aug. 22 


033 19 


84 58 00 


2435 


It. br. M. 


S.W. 


2-3 


109 


Aug. 23 


39 30 


86 53 15 


2425 


br. M. 


S. 


3 


no 


Aug. 24 


33 22 


88 18 00 


2394 


It. br. M. 


S.W. by S. 


3 



DEEP SEA SOUNDING. 



117 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
Coast of Madagascar. 



State 


State 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 












of 


of 






6 






Remarks. 


Weather. 


Sea. 




g 





Paying 


Reeling 








•■ 







Out. 


In. 








< 


en 


PQ 




















h. m. s. 


h. m. s. 




b. c. 


M. 


77 


7S 


34 


023 55 


O 25 05 


Sails clewed up but not furled. Time on 
bottom, 5 min. 


b. c. 


M. 


76 


76 


34 


O 23 50 


O 26 45 


Sails clewed up but not furled. Time on 
bottom, 5 min. 


b. c. 


M. 


75 


77 


34 


O 30 29 


O 30 09 


Sails clewed up but not furled. Time on 
bottom, 5 mm. 


b. c. 


M. 


74 


75 


34-5 


O 31 23 


O 31 30 




b. c. 


M. 


75 


75 


34-25 


032 35 


O 29 28 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 32 sec. 


b. c. 


H. 


75 


75 




32 38 


wire 
broke 


Rolling heavily at times. In reeling in 
wire parted near a splice. Lost 1998 
fathoms, with cup and thermometer. 


b. c. p. 


M. 


77 


75 


34-75 


3401 


37 05 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 35 sec. 


b. c. p. 


M. 


78 


75 


34-5o 


25 15 


025 30 


" " " 5 min. 45 sec. 



Straits of Sunda. 



b. c. 


L. 


78 79 


40.5 


005 51 


06 52 


Time on bottom, 6 min. 52 sec. 


b. c. q. 


L. 


78 8l 


34-25 


25 15 


31 25 


" " " 5 min. 30 sec. 


b. c. q. 


L. 


80 


81 


34 5 


20 32 


21 12 


Rolling heavily. Time on bottom, 5 min. 

15 sec. 
Rolling considerably. Wire caught, but 


b. c. q. 


L. 


79 


S2 


34-75 


39 45 


26 35 
















was cleared. Time on bottom, 4 min. 


0. c. 


L. 


So 


S 4 


34 


29 00 


30 30 


Some difficulty in keeping ship over wire. 
Time on bottom, 5 min. 


b. c. 


S. 


83 


S4 


34 


028 25 


31 45 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 


b. c. 


S. 


S2 


S3 


34-25 


29 25 


30 00 


" " " 5 min. 5 sec. 


b. c. 


L. 


83 


S4 


34-25 


26 21 


36 00 


" " " 6 min. 30 sec. 


b. c. 


S. 


8l 


S3 


34-250 25 41 


27 20 


" " " 5 min. 2s sec. 


b. c. q. p. 


M. 


78 


83 


35 17 40 


18 00 


" " " 5 min. 15 sec. 


b. c. q. p. 


M. 


75 


S2 


34-5 22 00 


23 15 


" " " 5 min. 5 sec. 


0. 


M. 


80 


S2 


34-5 ,028 31 


28 25 


" " " 5 min. 4 sec. 


0. e. d. 


M. 


79 


S2 


34-75 26 27 


29 55 


" " " 8 min. 45 sec. 


b. c. 


S. 


81 


S2 


20 00 


24 00 




b. c. 


S. 


81 


82 


34.750 12 07 


11 08 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 4 sec. 


b. c. 


s. 


S3 


S3 


36.500 12 30 


10 17 


" " " 5 min. 20 sec. 


b. c. 


s. 


S3 


S3 


36 013 57 


12 25 


" " " 5 min. 


0. c. 


s. 


Si 


S3 




24 30 


wire 


When reeled in within 50 fathoms the 












broke 


wire parted with a jerk. A shark which 














was swimming about the ship is sup- 
















posed to have snapped at the cup. Lost 
















29 fathoms, cup, and thermometer. 


b. c. 


s. 


So 


S2 


34.5 27 12 


35 05 


Time on bottom, 11 min. 5 sec. 


0. c. q. p. 


s. 


Si 


S3 


34.5 028 35 


1 01 35 


" " " 6 min. 


0. q. r. 


M. 


77 


S2 


34-5 033 25 


36 35 


" " " 6 min. 40 sec. 


0. c. 


G. 


Si 


S2 


34.75026 57 


29 50 


" " " 5 min. 6 sec. 


b. c. 


G. 


Si 


82 


34.5 02849 


28 03 


" " " 5 min. 1 sec. 


0. c. q. r. 


G. 


S2 


S3 


34.5 28 48 


33 25 


Did not detach until second trial. Time 
on bottom, 20 min. 15 sec. 


0. c. 


G. 


82 


S3 


34.25 28 20 


30 27 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 1 sec. 


b. c. 


G. 


S2 


S3 


34.1 27 24 


29 27 


" " " s mm. 6 sec. Rolling 
heavily at times. 



n8 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 

Seychelle Islands to- 



u 


Date. 


Position. 


a S 




Wind. 








' A & Character of Bottom. 


&<3 





in? 




Lat. 


Long. 


Si2 




V 

.h'3 











Q 




Q 


ta 


i 1883 


/ // 


/ // 










m|Aug. 25 


04 30 S. 


90 16 15 E. 


2231 


gy. ooze, S,, Sh. 


S.S.W. 


3 


112 Aug. 26 


11 00 


91 15 00 


2426 


br. ooze 


W.S.W. 


4 


U3|Aug. 27 


18 00 


92 19 00 


2437 


br. ooze 


S.W. 


0-1 


114 


Aug. 27 


23 56 


93 l6 43 


2453 br. ooze 


calm 





"5 


Aug. 28 


37 26 


94 23 00 


2442 


br. ooze 


E.S.E. 


1 


116 


Aug. 28 


1 03 23 


95 02 40 


2-1 6q 


br. ooze 


E.S.E. 


1 


117 


Aug. 29 


1 55 24 


95 56 27 


2681 


br. ooze 


E. by N. 


1 


118 


Aug. 29 


2 26 42 


96 47 09 


2518 


br. ooze, bk. Sp. 


East 


1-2 


119 


Aug. 30 


2 50 24 


97 51 09 


2.355 


br. ooze, bk. Sp. 


E.S.E. 


1 


120 


Aug. 31 


3 47 52 


99 09 57 


2083 


br. M. 


S.E. by S. 


1-2 


121 


Aug. 31 


4 14 29 


99 5o 29 


3097 


bu. br. M. 


S. by E. 


2-3 


122 


Sept. 1 


4 45 3i 


1005039 


1593 


It. br. ooze, S., Sh. 


S.E. 


3 


123 


Sept. 1 


5 11 54 


101 39 53 


627 


gv. S., Sh. 


S.E. 


3-4 


124 


Sept. 2 


5 42 18 


102 29 46 


203 


gy. S., Sh. 


S.E. 


2-3 


125 


Sept. 2 


5 44 29 


102 52 49 


720 


bu. C., Sh. 


E. 


2-3 


126 


Sept. 2 


5 46 02 


103 29 29 


1087 


bu. C., gy. S., andSh. 


S.S.E. 


1 


127 


Sept. 2 


5 5i 12 


103 35 40 


1207 


gy. S., bk. Sp. 


S.E. 


3-4 


128 


Sept. 3 


6 05 36 


104 15 24 


522 


crs. gy. S. 


S.E. 


2 


129 


Sept. 3 


608 54 


104 27 12 


227 


crs. gy. S., with sco- 
ria and pumice 


S.E. 


1-2 


130 


Sept. 3 


6 11 30 


104 26 30 


200 


crs. gy. S., with sco- 
ria and pumice 


S.E. 


2 



Indian Ocean. 



131 


1 88 S 
Aug. 24 


19 08 S. 


105 20 E. 


3066 no 


specimen 


S.E. by S. 


3 


132 

133 
134 


Aug. 27 
Aug. 31 
Sept. 8 


23 01 
29 20 

35 26 


101 20 

10155 
118 37 


3iS2|no 

2586 no 
1128 S. 


specimen 
specimen 


S. bv E. 

E.N.E. 

S.E. 


1-2 
1 

1 



South Pacific Ocean. From Wellington, New Zealand, to^ 



135 


Nov. 6 


41 41 S. 


17500 


637 


no specimen 


N.N.W. 


5-7 


136 


Nov. 7 


42 27 


175 34 


1 192 


gy. ooze 


N.N.W. 


2 


137 


Nov. 9 


42 07 


178 19 


1320 


gy. ooze 


N.E. bv N. 


4-5 


138 


Nov. 9 


43 37 


17937 W. 


224 


sft. bo. M., bk. Sp. 


North 


4-5 


139 


Nov. 9 


■43 53 


179 11 


160 


gy. S.bk. Sp. Sh., La. 


N.N.W. 


4 


140 


Nov. 9 


44 08 


178 57 


184 


gy. S. bk.Sp. Sh., La. 


N.W. 


1-2 


141 


Nov. 10 


44 41 


17S53 


75i 


gy.S. bk. Sp. bu. M. 


E.N.E. 


3 


142 


Nov. 10 


45 02 


17S 21 


996 


gy. M., S. 


N.N.E. 


4-5 


143 


Nov. 10 


45 11 


177 53 


1 38 1 


gy. M., S. 


N. bv E. 


4-5 


144 


Nov. 11 


45 45 


17637 


2180 


gy. M., s. 


N. by E. 


4-5 


145 


Nov. 11 


46 19 


174 34 


2237 


gy. M. 


N. by W. 


4-5 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



119 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 

Straits of Sunda. 



State 


State 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 














of 
Weather. 


of 
Sea. 


< 


5 

C/3 


6 



cq 


Paying 
Out. 


Reeling 
In. 


Remarks. 

















h. m. s. 


h. m. s. 






b. c. 


S. 


33 


84 


34-25 


O 24 30 


O 26 06 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 30 sec. 
clewed up but not furled. 


Sails. 


b. c. 


G. 


82 


82 


34 


O 25 40 


29 10 


Time on bottom, 22 min. 30 sec. 
culty in making shot detach. 


Dim- 


b. c.» 


S. 


82 


«3 


34-5 


25 52 


O 28 30 


Time on bottom, 14 min. 29 sec. 
culty in making shot detach. 


Diffi- 


b. c. 


S. 


8 4 


8b 


34 


O 27 IO 


O 25 18 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 




b. c. p. 


s. 


S 4 


S4 


34 


O 25 40 


025 45 


" " " 6 min. 7 sec. 




b. c. 


s. 


s 4 


86 


34 


O 26 50 


O 24 15 


" " " s min. 5 sec. 




b. c. 


s. 


82 


S3 


34-25 


O 29 OO 


02747 


" " " 5 min. 8 sec. 




b. c. 


s. 


84 


85 


34-25 


025 35 


22 35 


" " " 5 min. 




b. c. 


s. 


«5 


S3 


34 


O 23 50 


24 40 


" " " 5 min. 20 sec. 




b. c. 


s. 


82 


S4 


34 


O 27 50 


29 20 


" " " 5 min. 40 sec. 




b. c. 


s. 


«3 


S4 


33-5 


34 38 


038 15 


" " " 5 min. 20 sec. 




b. c. 


s. 


82 


85 


35 


O 15 14 


15 00 


" " " 8 min. 25 sec. 




b. c. 


M. 


S3 


S4 


42 


05 12 


004 57 


" " " 5 min. 




b. 0. c. 


S. 


81 


S3 


52 










b. c. 


s. 


81 


S4 


40.5 


O 06 02 


04 50 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 5 sec. 




0. c. 1. p. q. 


s. 


77 


84 


36.5 


O 14 40 


09 01 


" " " 5 min. 




0. r. 1. t. 


s. 


81 


S3 




13 14 


10 00 






0. r. 1. t. 


s. 


75 


S3 


44 


04 ou 


003 55 


Time on bottom, 5 min. 5 sec. 




0. r. 1. t. 


M. 


75 


S3 








Very heavy rains. 




0. r. 1. t. 


M. 


75 


82 








Very heavy rains. 





Off Australia. 



b. c. 

b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 



M. 


70 


74 




2 




L. 


65 


6q 








G. 


65 


65 




Pw* 




L. 


59 


60 




3 





Old wire that had been on reel two years. 

While reeling in the wire parted. 
Wire parted. Old wire. 
Wire parted. 



Magellan Straits. Casts taken by Lieut. Adolph Marix, U.S.N. 



b. c. q. 


M. R. 


61 


53 




10 


05 


b. c. 


M. C. 


58 


53 




20 


25 


b. c. 


M. C. 


61 


57 




20 


19 


b. c. z. 


M. C. 


58 


54 




02 


03 


b. c. z. 


M. 


59 


55 




02 


02 


b. c. z. 


M. 


59 


55 




003 


02 


0. c. f. 


L. 


53 


52 




11 


11 


0. c. f. 


L. M. 


54 


5i 




12 


12 


0. c. f. w. 


L. M. 


54 


5i 




17 


16 


b. c. 


S. 


54 


50 




28 


34 


0. c. f. d. 


M. 


55 


51 




29 


27 



Wire fouled bottom in reeling in and 
parted at 438 fathoms. Cup lost. 



Used ordinary 25-lb. coasting lead. 



120 



DEEr-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 
South Pacific Ocean. From Wellington, New Zealand, to 





Date. 


. Position. 


." 

■a 2 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


— X> 

.3 a 











wl 




Lat. 


Long. 


Q 




V 


u 


fa 




i88 S 


/ 


/ 








146 


Nov. 12 


46 36 S. 


172 34 W. 


2782 


dk. gy. M. 


N.N.W. 


5-6 


147 


Nov. -12 


46 50 


170 34 


3002 


no specimen 


N.W. by N. 


3-4 


148 


Nov. 13 


4708 


168 00 


2972 


gy. and br. M. 


N.N.W. 


2 


I4Q 


Nov. 14 


46 52 


166 46 


2881 


br. M. 


S.E. by'S. 


5 


150 


Nov. 15 


47 22 


164 34 


2793 


br. M., G. 


North 


5-6 


151 


Nov. 16 


47 54 


162 22 


2750 


br. M. 


South 


4 


152 


Nov. 17 


48 16 


160 17 


2533 


br. M., St., Sh. 


W. by N. 


0-2 


153 


Nov. 18 


48 23 


159 05 


2796 


br. M. 


W. by S. 


2 


154 


Nov. 19 


4851 


15643 


2789 


br. M., bk. Sp. 


N. by W. 


6-7 


155 


Nov. 20 


48 57 


154 21 


2 509 


br. M., bk. Sh. 


West 


1-2 


156 


Nov. 21 


4909 


152 02 


2650 


yl. M., brk. Sh. 


N.N.W. 


5 


157 


Nov. 21 


49 06 


150 OO 


2915 


no specimen 


West 


4-6 


158 


Nov. 22 


4904 


147 27 


2506 


yl. S., brk. Sh. 


S.W. by S. 


3-4 


159 


Nov. 23 


4902 


145 II 


2522 


yl. Sand 


S.W. bv S. 


2 


160 


Nov. 24 


49 °4 


142 55 


2584 


no specimen 


N.W. 


5 


161 


Nov. 24 


49 14 


14033 


2613 


yl. S., brk. Sh. 


W. bv N. 


5 


162 


Nov. 25 


49 21 


137 27 


2383 


yl. S., brk. Sh. 


N.W. by W. 


6 


J 63 


Nov. 26 


49 27 


134 53 


2646 


no specimen 


S.W. 


3-5 


164 


Nov. 26 


49 28 


132 28 


2467 


gy- s. 


West 


5 


165 


Nov. 27 


49 26 


129 18 


2423 


gy- s. 


W. by S. 


6-8 


166 


Nov. 28 


49 25 


127 48 


2239 


gy. &bk. S., brk. Sh. 


North 


2 


167 


Nov. 30 


49 37 


125 33 


2253 


gy- s. 


S.S.W. 


4-5 


168 


Dec. 1 


49 36 


123 00 


1964 


wh. S. 


S.S.E. 


3-4 


169 


Dec. 3 


49 39 


120 54 


1895 


no specimen 


W. by N. 


2 


170 


Dec. 4 


49 49 


118 38 


1690 


hard 


N.W. 


3-4 


171 


Dec. 4 


49 51 


117 36 


1562 


It. gy. S., brk. Sh. 


N.N.W. 


4-5 


172 


Dec. 5 


5000 


115 50 


1583 


gy. S., brk. Sh. 


N.W. 


4-5 


173 


Dec. 5 


5005 


114 16 


1S47 


no specimen 


W. by N. 


3 


174 


Dec. 6 


50 15 


112 00 


2162 


yl. S., M. 


N.W. by W. 


5-6 


175 


Dec. 6 


50 21 


109 32 


1848 


gv. &yl. S.,brk. Sh. 


N.W. 


5-6 


176 


Dec. 7 


5030 


107 36 


1997 


yl. S., brk. Sh. 


N.W. by N. 


4-5 


177 


Dec. 7 


50 35 


105 5i 


2197 


yl. S., brk. Sh. 


N.W. by W. 


5-6 


178 


Dec. 8 


5042 


103 52 


2224 


yl. br. M., brk. Sh. 


S.W. by S. 


3-4 


179 


Dec. 9 


5042 


101 09 


2324 


yl. br. M., brk. Sh. 


S.W. by S. 


5-6 


1S0 


Dec. 10 


50 43 


98 55 


2291 


yl. br. M., brk. Sh. 


W.S.W. 


4-? 


i3i 


Dec. 10 


50 44 


97 20 


23S3 


yl. br. M., brk. Sh. 


W.S.W. 


3-4 


1S2 


Dec. 11 


50 50 


95 14 


2540 


br. M., Sh. 


W.S.W. 


3-4 


183 


Dec. 11 


50 54 


93 40 


2711 


br. M. 


West 


5-< 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



121 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
Magellan Straits. Casts taken by Lieut. Adolph Marix, U.S.N. 



State 


State 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 














of 


of 




V 




e 






Remarks. 


Weather. 


Sea. 




c« 





Paying 


Reeling 








u 


3 





Out. 


In. 








< 


en 


CQ 












o 







h. m. 


h. m. 




o. c. f. d. 


M. 


53 


51 




O 41 


O 42 




o. c. f. 


M. 


55 


51 




048 




Wire parted while reeling in at 1300 fath- 
oms through carelessness of attendant. 


o. c. m. 


M. 


54 


53 




39 


35 




b. c. 


M. 


50 


5i 




34 


O 30 




o. c. d. q. 


M. 


54 


52 




39 


O 31 




b. c. 


S. 


53 


5i 




041 


O 29 




b. c. 


• S. 


55 


52 




1 00 


I II 


The regular reel having need of repairs, 
the old brass reel was used for this and 






























the following cast, hence had to reel up 
















by hand. 


b. c. 


L. 


52 


5i 




51 


I 10 




o. c. q. 


L.M. 


53 


50 




O 46 


O 36 


Iron reel having been repaired is again 
in use. 


b. c. 


M. 


55 


50 




39 


O 25 




b. c. • 


L. 


52 


49 




37 


37 




■; r.d.m.q. 


M. 


52 


48 




049 


35 


Wire parted at 70 fathoms while reeling 
in. Defect in wire. 


b. c. 


M. 


52 


49 




37 


37 




b. c. p. 


L. 


50 


49 




038 


26 




a. 


M. 


51 


49 




047 


50 


In reeling in, wire parted at 764 fathoms. 


o. m. 


M. 


52 


48 




O 40 


39 




o. m. d. 


M.R. 


52 


48 




35 


41 




b. c. 


M.L. 


48 


47 




038 


21 


In reeling in, wire parted at 1446 fathoms. 


b. c. 


M.L. 


49 


47 




39 


59 




b. c. q. p. 


H.R. 


47 


47 




O 41 


36 


Ship lying to under steam and sail. 


b. c. 


L.H. 


50 


47 




O 29 


28 




b. c. 


H.R. 


46 


46 




O 42 


032 




b. c. 


L. 


4 3 


46 




O 28 


21 




b. c. 


M. 


52 


48 




O 25 


24 


Wire parted at 97 fathoms while reeling in. 


o. c. 


M. 


SO 


46 




O 22 


033 


No specimen recovered, but cup showed 
signs of having struck hard bottom. 


b. c. 


M. 


4S 


45 




O 21 


23 




o. c. m. f. 


M. 


4 s 


46 




O 28 


20 




o. c. 


s. 


48 


47 




O 20 


26 


Cup came up with sleeve lifted and 
jammed. Specimen was washed out. 


o. c. 


M. 


48 


46 




O 29 


033 


Tending out from side of ship about s° 
when bottom was reached. 


b. c. 


M. 


49 


47 




023 


23 




b. c. m. 


M.C. 


49 


46 




37 


26 




b. c. m. 


M.C. 


48 


47 




O 32 


30 




D.c.h. p. q. 


M.R. 


47 


46 




O 30 


31 




o. c. q. m. 


M.L. 


4» 


46 




32 


31 




b. c. 


M. 


4 s 


46 




32 


32 




o. c. m. 


M.L. 


47 


46 




O 31 


33 




o. c. f. d. 


L. 


49 


47 




O 32 


33 




o. c. q. m. 


M.L. 


49 


46 




35 


2 58 


Could not detach shot when on bottom 
the ball having hooked on the cup. 
Hove in by steam, assisted by hand, 
and brought shot back. Reel showed no 
signs of distress. The power of the en- 
















gine alone was not sufficient to reel in. 



122 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 
South Pacific Ocean. From Wellington, New Zealand, to 



u 


Date. 


Position. 


(A 

.5 
•c-5 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


«2; 


Lat. 


Long. 


a 

a; 






















a 


fc 




1885 


/ 


/ 












184 


Dec. 12 


50 58 S. 


91 33 W. 


2677 


br. M. 






W. by N. 


5-6 


185 


Dec. 12 


51 OI 


89 30 


2579 


br. M. 






W. by N. 


5-6 


186 


Dec. 13 


51 07 


87 00 


2SI6 


br. M. 






W. by N. 


S-6 


187 


Dec. 13 


51 13 


8438 


2477 


br. M. 






W.N.W. 


5-7 


188 


Dec. 14 


51 18 


8231 


2378 


br. M. 


Sh. 




W.N.W. 


S-6 


l8q 


Dec. 15 


51 57 


78 34 


2162 


gy. br. 


M., 


Sh. 


W.N.W. 


4-6 


iqo 


Dec. 15 


52 10 


7708 


2167 


gy. br. 


M., 


Sh. 


W.N.W. 


2-3 


191 


Dec. 15 


52 16 


76 02 


1200 


gy- s. 






N.W. 


3 



South Atlantic. From Montevideo, 





1886 






I 






192 


Jan. 


11 


35 06 S. 


52 05 W. 


761 gn. M. 


N.W. 


2-3 


193 


Jan. 


11 


34 49 


5i 23 


H26dk. M. 


South 


1-2 


194 


Jan. 


12 


34 30 


50 47 


1633 dk. M. 


E. by N. 


1-2 


195 


Jan. 


12 


3404 


49 49 


1589 no specimen 


N.E. 


2-3 


196 


Jan. 


13 


33 45 


48 48 


1775 dk. M. 


North 


3 


197 


Jan. 


13 


33 18 


47 53 


1859 gv. M., brk. Sh. 


N.N.E. 


3 


19s 


Jan. 


14 


3258 


47 22 


1976 dk. M. 


N.E. 


4-6 


199 


Jan. 


14 


32 33 


4648 


2088^. M. 


N.E. by N. 


4-5 


200 


Jan. 


15 


32 24 


45 32 


2192 dk. M. 


N. by E. 


4 


201 


Jan. 


15 


32 14 


44 14 


2132 


br. M. 


N.N.E. 


3 


202 


Jan. 


16 


3i 57 


43 16 


2145 


br. M. 


N.N.E. 


3-4 


203 


Jan. 


16 


3i 43 


4i 55 


2036 


lc. br. M. 


N.N.E. 


4 


204 


Jan. 


17 


3i 40 


40 28 


1999 


br. M. 


North 


4-5 


205 


Jan. 


17 


3i 35 


3908 


2334 


br. M. 


N.E. 


3 


206 


Jan. 


18 


31 29 


3805 


1949 


S 


N. by W. 


4 


2O7 


Jan. 


18 


31 22 


36 39 


1469 


wh. S. and Sh. 


W.N.W. 


3-4 


208 


fan. 


J 9 


3i 13 


35 42 


547 


yl. & wh. S. and Sh. 


N. by W. 


3 


2O9 


Jan. 


19 


31 12 


35 35 


467 


crs.yl.&wh.S. & Sh. 


N.N.W. 


3 


210 


Jan. 


19 


31 11 


35 29 


471 


crs.yl.&wh. S. & Sh. 


N.N.W. 


3 


211 


Jan. 


19 


31 10 


35 23 


444 


wh. S., bk. Sp. 


N.N.W. 


3 


212 


Jan. 


19 


3i 09 


35 16 


481 


wh. S., bk. Sp. 


North 


3 


213 


Jan. 


19 


3108 


35 09 


400 


wh. S., bk. Sp. 


North 


3 


214 


Jan. 


19 


31 o7 


35 03 


867 


Sh. 


North 


3 


215 


Jan. 


19 


3i 05 


34 48 


1095 


no specimen 


North 


2-3 


2l6 


Jan. 


19 


31 02 


34 27 


378 


crs. wh. and yl. S. 


North 


2 


217 


Jan. 


19 


31 01 


34 21 


39° 


crs. wh. and yl. S. 


North 


2-3 


218 


Jan. 


l 9 


30 59 


34 16 


426 


wh. S., bk. Sp. 


N. by E. 


2-3 


219 


Jan. 


19 


30 57 


34 11 


495 


fne. wh. S., Sh. 


N. by E. 


2-3 


220 


Jan. 


20 


30 53 


33 52 


584 


no specimen 


North 


3 


221 


Jan. 


20 


3048 


33 21 


956 


wh. S. 


North 


3-4 


222 


Jan. 


20 


30 39 


32 43 


1S27 


fne. wh. S., Sh. 


North 


4 


223 


Jan. 


20 


30 32 


3i 5o 


2113 


hard; no specimen 


North 


3-4 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



123 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
Magellan Straits. Casts taken by Lieut. Adolph Marix, U.S.N. 







Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 




State 

of 

Weather. 


State 

of 
Sea. 


< 


O 

a 
u 

t/] 


a 





pg 


Paying 
Out. 


Reeling 
In. 


Remarks. 






e 




h. m. 


h. m. 




b. c. m. 

b. c. z. 
0. c. m. d. 


M. 

M. 

M. 


49 

4 s 

50 


46 
46 

47 




038 

33 

038 


044 

37 
O 31 


Line tending out about 3 when bottom 

was reached. 
Only small specimen obtained. 


0. c. m. d. 


M. 


49 


40 




O 41 


34 


Line tending slightly out when bottom, 
was reached. 


b. c. p. 
0. c. q. m. 


R. 
M. H. 


50 
48 


46 

47 




O 42 

45 


34 
O 36 




b. c. 
b. c. 


L. 
M. 


49 
49 


47 

48 




30 
O 14 


023 
II 





Uruguay, to Barbados, W. I. 



b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. z. 

b. c. 

o. c. 

b. c. 
b. c. z. 

b. c. 
b. c. m. 
b. c. m. 

b. c. 
b, c. m. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 
b. c. w. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 
b. c. n. 
b. c. w. 
b. c. w. 

b. c. 

b. c. 



s. 


73 


7i 




O 13 


O IO 


G. 


74 


74 




O 21 


O 18 


S. 


74 


73 




O 24 


19 


s. 


78 


74 




O 19 


O 15 


s. 


76 


74 




O 17 


O 15 


M. 


77 


75 




O 20 


O 26 


M. 


75 


74 




O 31 


O 2S 


M. 


76 


75 




O 28 


O 24 


M. 


?6 


74 




O 26 


O 24 


M. 


76 


75 




O 26 


O 26 


M. 


75 


74 




O 26 


O 22 


S. 


7^ 


75 




O 24 


O 19 


M. 


76 


75 




O 27 


O 20 


S. 


77 


76 




O 28 


O 20 


S. 


76 


75 




O 22 


O 20 


S. 


77 


77 




O 20 


O l8 


S. 


74 


75 




04 


O l6 


S. 


75 


75 




O 05 


O l6 


S. 


~b 


75 




O 06 


05 


S. 


77 


75 




O 05 


05 


s. 


77 


75 




O 05 


O 06 


s. 


77 


75 




O 06 


O 07 


s. 


78 


76 




O II 


O II 


s. 


77 


75 




O 15 


IO 


s. 


76 


75 




O 04 


03 


s. 


76 


75 




O 05 


06 


s. 


lb 


75 




O 07 


05 


s. 


76 


75 




O 07 


005 


s. 


7675 




O 12 


06 


s. 


7^75 




O 13 


08 


s. 


77 76 




O 20 


O 21 


s. 


7<>75 




O 27 


34 



Used 25-lb. coasting lead. 

Line tending slightly to port. 

Cup failed to act,brought up no specimen. 



Evidences of hard bottom. No specimen 
recovered. 



Used 25-lb. coasting lead. 
Used 25-Jb. coasting lead. 
Specimen washed out in reeling in. 



Delay in reeling in caused by slight acci- 
dent to engine. 



124 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 

South Atlantic. From Montevidio, 







e. 


Position. 


si 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


3 & Dat 








V 


"5 

7)2 




Lat. 


Long. 


ufe 




<u 


CJ 

u 












Q 




Q 


b 


1886 


/ 


/ 










224 Jan. 


21 


30 21 S. 


30 40 w. 


1834 


fne. wh. S., Sh. 


North 


4-5 


225 Jan. 


2; I 


3005 


29 22 


1296 


fne. wh. S., Sh. 


N.W. byN. 


4 


226 Jan. 


21 


29 54 


29 OO 


1766 


no specimen 


N.W. byN. 


3-4 


227 Jan. 


22 


28 52 


28 II 


2539 


br. M., Sh. 


W.N.W. 


3 


228jjan. 


23 


27 54 


27 32 


2851 


dk. br. M. 


S.W. 


3 


229 Jan. 


25 


24 14 


27 20 


3002 dk. br. M. 


E. bv S. 


3-4 


230 Jan. 


27 


22 56 


27 22 


2995 yl. br. M., brk. Sh. 


N.E. 


1 


231 Jan. 


27 


21 43 


27 19 


2865 stf. br. M. 


East 


1 


232 Jan. 


2S 


20 24 


27 40 


2727 stf. br. M. 


E.S.E. 


1-2 


233 Jan. 


30 


18 53 


28 09 


2924 stf. br. M. 


N.E. 


1 


234 Jan. 


31 


17 43 


29 OI 


2839 br. M. 


N.N.E. 


2 


235 


Feb. 


2 


16 10 


29 57 


2678.br. M. 


East 


3 


236 


Feb. 


3 


1449 


30 10 


2770 


br. M. 


East 


2 


237 


Feb. 


4 


13 10 


30 26 


2814 


br. M. 


E. by S. 


4 


238 


Feb. 


5 


11 35 


31 00 


2892 


br. M. 


E. by S. 


3-4 


239 


Feb. 


6 


10 02 


31 01 


28S7 


br. M. and S. 


E.S.E. 


4 


240 


Feb. 


7 


8 26 


3i 3i 


2878 


yl. br. M. 


E. by S. 


4 


241 


Feb. 


8 


6 54 


32 13 


2620 


br. M., Sh. 


East 


3 


242 


Feb. 


9 


4 28 


33 07 


2280 


gy. M., S. and Sh. 


E. by S. 


4 


243 


Feb. 


10 


3 03 


33 53 


2202 


ooze, Sh. 


E.S.E. 


3-4 


244 


Feb. 


11 


1 41 


35 02 


2222 


ooze, Sh. 


S.E. by E. 


2 


245 


Feb. 


12 


22 


35 45 


2443 


ooze, Sh. 


N.E. 


4-7 



North Atlantic 





1886 
















246 


Feb. 14 


1 12 N. 


36 32 W. 


21^2 


ooze, 


Sh. 


N.N.E. 


0-1 


247 


Feb. 16 


2 08 


3813 


2407 


ooze, 


Sh. 


N. by E. 


3-4 


24S 


Feb. 17 


3 14 


39 49 


2405 


ooze, 


Sh. 


N.E. by E. 


4 


249 


Feb. 18 


409 


4i 09 


2235 


ooze, 


Sh. 


E.N.E. 


1-2 


250 


Feb. 19 


5 14 


42 09 


2580 


ooze, 


Sh. 


E.N.E. 


4 


251 


Feb. 20 


6 35 


43 32 


2546 


ooze, 


Sh. 


E.N.E. 


5-6 


252 


Feb. 20 


7 29 


4440 


2547 


ooze, 


Sh. 


E.N.E. 


5 


253 


Feb. 21 


8 19 


45 52 


2682 


ooze, 


Sh. 


E.N.E. 


4-5 


2^4 


Feb. 21 


8 50 


47 06 


2552 


ooze, 


Sh. 


N.E. bv E. 


4 


255 


Feb. 22 


9 30 


48 39 


2593 


ooze, 


Sh. 


N.E. 


5-6 


2S6 


Feb. 22 


10 06 


5000 


2728 


ooze 




East 


5-6 


2S7 


Feb. 23 


10 52 


5i 23 


2697 


ooze 




E.N.E. 


5-6 


258 


Feb. 23 


11 25 


5241 


2714 


no specimen 


E.N.E. 


5 


2S9 


Feb. 24 


11 43 


5400 


2673 


ooze 




East 


4-5 


260 


Feb. 24 


11 56 


55 01 


2 5 bo 


ooze 




East 


3-4 


261 


Feb. 25 


12 17 


56 10 


2425 


ooze 




E.N.E. 


5 


262 


Feb. 25 


12 31 


5705 


2421 


ooze, 


S., Sh. 


E.N.E. 


4 


263 


Feb. 26 


12 38 


58 14 


1204 


ooze, 


S., Sh. 


East 


4 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



125 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
Uruguay, to Barbados, W. I. 



State 


State 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 














of 


of 






<-> 


a 






Remarks. 


Weather. 


Sea. 




a 





Paying 


Reeling 








c 


5 





Out. 


In. 








< 


■Si 


m 




















h. m. 


h. m. 




b. c. 


S. 


75 


74 




O 24 


O 16 


Some sub-surface current. 


b. c. 


S. 


77 


76 




O 14 


O 15 




b.c.w. 


S. 


77 


75 




O 26 


O 18 




b. c. 


s. 


Si 


7S 




032 


O 21 




b. c. 


s. 


79 


73 




O 36 


35 




b. c. 


s. 


80 


So 




43 


O 36 




b. c. 


s. 


79 


So 




O38 


O 36 




b. c. p. 


s. 


So 


82 




37 


33 




b. c. 


s. 


80 


So 




32 


O 31 




b. c. 


s. 


79 


So 




038 


37 




b. c. 


s. 


79 


80 




39 


39 




b. c. 


s. 


So 


79 




35 


37 




b. c. 


s. 


81 


79 




034 


43 


Wire tending slightly aft. 


b. c. 


s. 


79 


So 




31 


39 




b. c. 


s. 


Si 


Si 




034 


35 




b. c. 


s. 


33 


Si 




33 


O 52 




b. c. q. 


s. 


S3 


82 




037 


O 32 




b. c. 


s. 


33 


S2 




31 


O 36 




b. c. 


s. 


S3 


S2 




28 


O 27 




b. c. 


s. 


S 4 


S2 




27 


O 27 




b. c. 


s. 


S3 


S2 




23 


O 23 




o.c.u.q.m. 


s. 


74 


8l 




40 


O 30 


Very heavy squall during cast. 



Ocean. 



b. c. 
b. c. r. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

o. c. d. 

o. c. q. d 

b. c. 
b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. 

b. c. p. 

b. c. p. q 

b. c. 

b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 
b. c. 



S. 
M. 
S. 

S. 

s. 

R. 

M. 
M. 



M. 
M. 
M. 
M. 
M. 

M. 
S. 
M. 
S. 

s. 



23 


23 


30 


27 


31 


30 


36 


24 


33 


30 


35 


047 


32 


34 


2 03 


39 


29 


36 


34 


36 


51 


39 


33 


29 


37 


36 


41 


34 


34 


030 


34 


28 


30 


30 


14 


00S 



Wire tended under ship on reeling in, 
causing delay. 

After beginning to sound found that the 
ship had not sufficient steam to breast 
the wind, so clamped wire until steam 
was raised sufficiently to continue. 



In reeling in the wire fouled propeller; 
lost 204 fathoms. 



126 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN BY THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 

Between St. Thomas, W. I., 



u 


Date. 


Position. 


a 

■5 13 

at 
Q 


Character of Bottom. 


Wind. 


v)2 


Lat. 


Long. 


9 
if 

5 s 


u 

u 






1886 


/ 


/ 










264 


Mar. 6 


19 53 N. 


65 45 W. 


4529 


br. ooze 


s.w. 


2-3 


26 s 


Mar. 6 


21 00 


66 14 


2990 


br. M. 


w.s.w. 


4 


266 


Mar. 7 


22 06 


66 44 


3079 


It. br. M. 


N.N.W. 


3 


267 


Mar. 7 


2307 


67 08 


3101 


It. br. M. 


N.W. by N. 


2 


26S 


Mar. 8 


24 23 


67 58 


3133 


It. br. M. 


West 


2 


26q 


Mar. 8 


25 22 


68 41 


3006 


It. br. M. 


W. by N. 


1-2 


270 


Mar. 9 


26 33 


69 30 


2880 


no specimen 


N.W. by W. 


2-3 


271 


Mar. 9 


27 36 


7014 


3004 


br. M. 


S.W. 


3 


272 


Mar. 10 


29 36 


7i 33 


2956 


br. M. 


W. by N. 


6-8 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



127 



COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N., COMMANDING. 
and Cape Hatteras. 





State 
of 
Sea. 


Tempera- 
ture. 


Time. 




State 

of 

Weather. 


< 


a; 

a 

P 


a 





Paying 
Out. 


Reeling 
In. 


Remarks 


b.c. 

b.c. 
b. c. 
b.c. 
b.c. 
b. c. z. 
b. c. 

b.c. 
r. c. q. r. 


G. 

G. 
G. 

S. 
S. 

s. 
s. 

s. 

R. 


7S 

79 
76 
76 
73 
74 
69 

70 
66 


79 

7S 
7S 
7S 
73 
74 
71 

70 
66 




h. m. 
I 06 

038 
O 40 
O 38 
37 
35 
33 

O 40 

39 


h. m. 
I 21 

35 
41 

34 

36 

34 

42 
038 


Used crank to assist engine in reeling in 
the first 1500 fathoms. 

In reeling in the wire parted at 1450 
fathoms. No cause discovered. 



128 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



OFFICERS ATTACHED TO THE U. S. S. ENTERPRISE 

ON THE DAY OF SAILING FROM NORFOLK, 

DECEMBER 27, 1882. 



Albert S. Barker, 
G. M. Book, 
G. A. Norris, 
Hugo Osterhaus, 
M. A. Shufeldt, 
H. M, Hodges, 
W. G. Hannum, 
N. J. L. T. Halpine, 
Edward Lloyd, 
H. D. McEwan, 
C. J. Habighurst, 
G. W. McElroy, 
J. H. Baker, 
H. N. Beaumont, 
J. A. Ring, 
T. G. Fillette, 
W. J. Sears, 
R. F. Lopez, 
R. O. Bitler, 
W. C. P. Muir, 
L. J. Clark, 
Albert Moritz, 
F. A. McNutt, 
H. D. Alexander, 



Commander, U. S. N., Commanding 

Lieutenant-Commander, Executive. 

Lieutenant, Navigator. 

Lieutenant. 

Master. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Chief Engineer. 

Passed Assistant Engineer. 

Assistant Engineer. 

Assistant Engineer. 

Surgeon. 

Passed Assistant Paymaster. 

Second Lieutenant, U. S. M. C. 

Midshipman. 

Midshipman. 

Midshipman. 

Midshipman. 

Midshipman. 

Naval Cadet. 

Naval Cadet. 

Paymaster's Clerk. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



129 



OFFICERS ATTACHED TO THE U. S. S. ENTERPRISE 

UPON HER RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES, 

MARCH, 1886. 



Albert S. Barker, 
Geo. A. Norris, 
Adolph Marix, 
Hugo Osterhaus, 
W. P. Conway, 
H. M. Hodges, 
G. W. Denfield, 
R. F. Lopez, 
P. W. Hourigan, 
H. C. Poundstone, 
W. C. P. Muir, 
J. H. Rohrbacher, 
L. J. Clark, 
H. D. McEwan, 
G. R. Salisbury, 
H. N. Beaumont, 
W. B. Wilcox, 



Commander, U. S. N., Commanding. 

Lieutenant, Executive. 

Lieutenant, Navigator. 

Lieutenant. 

Lieutenant. 

Lieutenant. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Ensign. 

Chief Engineer. 

Assistant Engineer. 

Surgeon. 

Assistant Paymaster. 



13° 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



MEN WHO WERE ON BOARD THE ENTERPRISE DUR- 
ING THE WHOLE CRUISE. 



Anderson, Andrew 
Baggott, Patrick 
Barnett, John 
Bartleson, T. M. 
Bennett, Eugene 
Birch, Walter H. 
Borgenson, Francis 
Bowles, Edward 
Brown, Charles 
Buck, Patrick 
Campbell, William 
Carlsen, Andrew 
Cope, George 
Corr, Henry 
Crabtree, C. W. 
Craven, Thomas 
Darnell, M. D. 
Dazy, W. J. 
Derrick, George 
Farrell, James 
Fountain, B. 
Foy, W. H. 
Gleason, James 
Gordon, E. T. 
Griffith, Wm. 
Gustavsen, James 
Hanna, Jno. W. 
Harvey, Thomas 
Hassett, John 
Hatter, James 
Henderson, Robt. 
Herbert, Frank 
Holm, G. A. 
Johnson, James 
Knight, Robert 
Landers, Thomas 



Landman, Chas. 
McDonough, Jas. 
McKinley, J. J. 
McNeal, John 
McNicol, James 
McTighe, Patrick 
Morgan, W. T. 
Morrison, A. M. 
Mullaly, Michael 
Murphy, John 
Nailor, H. Bernard 
O'Hern, William 
Oberg, C. A. 
Pequati, Emil 
Peterson, Neil 
Porter, J. B. 
Raferty, J. F. 
Reiley, Mich. P. 
Roche, James F. 
Robinson, A. J. 
Schewder, A. K. 
Schneider, Carl 
Schurig, Edw. 
Smit, Gustav 
Smith, E. T. 
Smith, Thomas 
Stiles, H. T. 
Stugerweld, Adam 
Sweeney, James 
Thompson, Wm. 
Twiss, George 
Weston, Louis 
Will, Alexander 
Wirtz, H. I. 
Withers, Nelson A 
Wogan, Michael 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



131 



APPRENTICES. 



Becker, David H. 
Broderick, Thomas 
Brown, Henry J. 
Dally, Clarence M. 
Fields, G. W. 
Hanly, Peter 
Hopkins, Chas. W. 
Hughes, Patrick 



Mehrtens, R. C. 
Odenath, J. J. 
Parker, Charles 
Ramsay, L. M. 
Smith, Aug. F. 
Stuart, William 
Turk, F. J. 



MARINES. 

Albert Conrey, First Sergeant. 
Douglass Smith, Sergeant. 
Bernard Duddy, Corporal. 
A. A. Thatcher, Drummer. 
Wm. M. Jordan, Fifer. 



Adams, Thomas A. 
Bader, Gottlieb 
Brennan, J. M. 
Benz, Frederick 
Flemming, S. M. 



Gallagher, J. J. 
Lyon, Thos. A. 
Little, J. M. 
Murphy, J. A. 
Tierney, Jas. P. 



132 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



MEN WHO WENT OUT IN THE SHIP BUT DID NOT 
RETURN IN HER. 



Aki Suzia (Japanese) 
A Lam (Chinese) 
Allen, George L. 
Angel, Louis 
Bird, Frank 
Black, Chas. 
Boiler, Wm. 
Christensen, Chas. 
Coombs, Peter 
Cowen, Lindley 
Day, Daniel 
Eto Matz (Japanese) 
Ferguson, Thos. 
Fumersdorf, J. 
George, C. W. 
Gisabon, E. 
Godfrey, Wm. 
Jensen, Julius 
Kami, M. 
Kandoli, M. 
Kregor, ChaSx 
Lee, George 
Lewis, Laban 
McGarr, James 
McGee, Lincoln 



McGovern, M. 

Moite, E. 

Montegenico, F. de 

Nakamura, S. (Japanese) 

O'Shea, John 

Perry, Thomas 

Quirk, Edw. 

Quine, William 

Robertson, John 

Sajaro (Japanese) 

Sherman, F. I. 

Smith, C. M. 

Soung, Y. W. 

Stevens, Chas. 

Suzui Wakamato (Japanese) 

Swan, Eric 

Tarro, K. 

Taylor, Wm. 

Thornton, Thomas 

Toku Hisia (Japanese) 

Townson, Jno. C. 

Waldron, T. C. 

White, Andrew 

Williams, G. A. 



APPRENTICES. 



Barcklay, C. W. 
Dudley, L. S. 
Gardner, Jno. P. 
Green, Daniel 
Johnson, Jas. T. 
Moury, Edw. T. 
Rice, Edw. L. 



Saunders, Chas. B. 
Stevens, F. W. 
Stokes, Joseph 
Whitney, F. W. 
Wilson, Henry L. 
Wolf, Geo. L. 



MARINES. 



W. F. Jones, Corporal. 

Brite, Jonathan O. 
Carey, Francis 
Ellsworth, S. M. 
Foley, W. T. 



Finnerty, P. J. 
Griffin, James 
Lewis, D. H. 
Murray, Thomas 
Ryan, Patrick 
Wood, W. J. 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



133 



MEN WHO WERE ON BOARD AT END OF CRUISE 
BUT WERE NOT ON BOARD AT THE BEGIN- 
NING OF THE CRUISE. 



Baker, Wm. 
Besant, C. I. 
Boyd, C. A. 
Brown, Joseph 
Cartwright, J. H. 
Cox, Maurice 
Daniels, Wm. 
Diggs, W. G. 
Esha (Japanese) 
Fabling, A. F. 
Fechner, O. H. 
Gotting, Leonard 
Harding, W. M. 
Ivers, Wm. W. 
Jackson, F. A. 
Jones, H. G. 
Karlson, K. E. 
Kege Izake (Japanese) 
King, D. F. 
Koeber, Charles 
Kruss, Harry 
Lamken, Adolph 
Landstrom, G. 



Lindenberg, Waldemar 

McCabe, J. 

McGrath, J. M. 

Marlingford, John 

Moller, Adolf 

Nojuna (Japanese) 

Olsen, Saren 

Olsson, A. G. 

Pagan, Frank 

Pease, Arthur 

Rooke, George 

Russell, Wm. I. 

Silvia, Antone, distressed 

American 
Sheridan, Daniel 
Smith, Thomas, 2d 
Stebbins, A. H. 
Taki Kichi (Japanese) 
Wirada, G. (Japanese) 
Yamagata (Japanese) 
Yskihi Tanaka (Japanese) 
Yu Long (Chinese) 



APPRENTICES. 



Aiken, E. L. 
Alexander, Benjamin T. 
Emery, Tnos. H. 
Golden, A. J. 



Kimmell, A. J. 
Lawrence, S. M. 
Lee, Robert 
Postill, J. C. 



MARINES. 



Harry Scott, Corporal. 

Bates, Charles 
Davis, Joseph T. 
Jones, Wm. F. 
Keiley, Roger 



Murphy, Wm. 
McCarthy, Thos. 
Rice, Arthur 
Shanahan, Daniel 
Marcus, Albert 



Il0 c 




=^t -i -v — ' •— 

6 asm "E-bk^ 








DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN IN THE INDIAN OCEAN 

BY THE U.SS.ENTERPRISE, COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N.COM'D 

WHILE EN ROUTE TO THE ASIATIC STATION 

IN JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, fc SEPTEMBER, 1883, 

LIEUT. GEO. A.NORRIS, U.S-N., NAVIGATOR 

SOUNDINGS IN rATHOMS 

ABBREVIATIONS TOR CHARACTE.RIST iCS OF BOTTOM SOIL 



MATLRIAlS 




CO 


lORS 


OTHER QUALITIES 


C for 


Clay 


r> 


For 


brow 


crc r , 


coarse 


M - 


Mud 


It 




S r V 






Oz •• 


Ooia 


y 




JtUon 






S •• 








black 






Sh ■■ 


Shetli 
Spec*.. 














f*J3E®> 





150* 



140* 



DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN 

BY THE US.S ENTERPRISE, COMMANDER ALBERT S.BARKER,U.S.N.,C0M'D6, 

WHILE ON HER RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES 

IN OCTOBER , NOVEMBER, &. DECEMBER, 1885 

LIEUT. AOOLPH MARIX , U.S.N., NAVIGATOR 

SOUNDINGS IN FATHOMS 



jlbrMMS/, /'*'«A^j* 



-'.ffm 



&8REVI 


■VTlONS FOR CHARACTERiST 


CSOf BOTTOM SO 


MAT 


E.RIAL.S 


COLORS 


OTHER QUALITIES 


G for 


Grant. 


bk for black 


brk for broken 


M '■ 


Muxt, 


br " brown 


brd. •• hard. 


Oz - 


Ooze 


bu " bCuA 


sft » soft 


5 " 


Sand. 


oik « das* 




Sh .. 


ShtUs 


gy « gr&y 




Up. 


Specks 






St •> 


Ston&s 


yl » yeUoirt 






°"Bm>«f" 



i*7,_.2'^> t 





DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS TAKEN IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEANS 

BY THE U.S.S.ENTERPRISE, COMMANDER ALBERT S. BARKER, U.S.N.,COM'DG, 

WHILE ON A CRUISE AROUND THE WORLD 

The soundings in black were taken on the ou.twa.rd voyage in 1883 

LIEUT. GEO. A.NORRlS, U.S.N., NAVIGATOR 

The soundings in bias were taken on the return voyage in 1886 

LIEUT. AOOLPH MARIX , U.S.N., NA.VI6f.T0R 

SOUNOINGS IN FATHOMS 



MATERIALS 


| COLORS | OTHER QUALITIES 


Co For CoraL 


Ok for 


OUU/c 




M 
Oz • 


Mud 


Or » 


ST 


Pre » fire 


S • 

sn > 
Sp • 


Specks 


9" " 

yt ■■ 


9 r 'J 
yello* 


St? " stiff 




